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Scientific Name | Conophytum ectypum N.E.Br. subsp. sulcatum (L.Bolus) S.A.Hammer |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
Synonyms | Conophytum distinctum Tischer in letter to Rawe, Conophytum sulcatum L.Bolus |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Critically Endangered A3d; B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii) |
Assessment Date | 2023/10/20 |
Assessor(s) | A.J. Young, P.G. Desmet, I. Ebrahim, A. Harrower, L. Jabar, L. Knoetze, C. Rodgerson, P.C.V. Van Wyk, N.N. Mhlongo & D. Guo |
Justification | This succulent is endemic to the Northern Cape province of South Africa where it is only recorded from a single location with an extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) of 8 km². There is ongoing decline in habitat quality. The dwarf succulents that comprise this genus have been increasingly targeted by illegal collection in recent years and the vast majority of species are in high demand by collectors. Whilst there is no evidence of illegal collection at the time of this submission, closely related species, including some from the immediate area, have been illegally removed from habitat with a dramatic increase in the number of species and volume of plants targeted since 2019. The threat of illegal collection is therefore regarded as very high for this particular taxon. Given its low population size at the only known locality a complete decline of 100% of the population is likely within the next ten years. While climate change is also highly likely to impact this taxon the rapid declines to the population as a result of illegal collection means it qualifies as Critically Endangered under criteria A3 and B1+2. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | This succulent is endemic to the Northern Cape province of South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Umdaus Mountains Succulent Shrubland |
Description | The plants are restricted to a small area in the Richtersveld bioregion of the Succulent Karoo biome where they receive winter rainfall. They primarily grow in relatively flat areas in full sun amongst fine quartz stones or in cracks and crevices amongst larger quartz blocks. This succulent has a generation length of 30 years. It is expected to be sensitive to the impacts of climate change as it does not disperse and while adapted to arid conditions, is dependent on limited seasonal rainfall. Species in the genus are sensitive to long periods of drought. Drought related mortality has been observed for other closely related taxa within the genus. |
Threats |
| This particular succulent is not currently threatened by illegal collection but it is very likely that it will become a target in coming years as the majority of other species in the genus, including many from the immediate area, have been increasingly targeted since 2019.
There is a decline in habitat quality for this taxon as inferred by changes in vegetation cover determined from changes in Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) between 1984 and 2018 using Landsat data (Venter et al. 2020). While it is not possible to model the response of this taxon to climate change due to its restricted distribution, the average loss to climate change for 21 more widely distributed Conophytum species occurring within the same region is used as an indication of likely impact to this taxon. Climate models for the likely emission scenarios where emissions stay at present day levels (RCP 2.6) (Hausfather and Peters 2020) and worst case scenarios where emissions continue to increase during the 21st century (RCP 8.5) indicate that there will be a loss of suitable bioclimatic envelope of between 72% and 99% by 2080 for this taxon. Species in this genus have limited dispersal ability and migration to suitable habitats elsewhere is regarded as highly unlikely. |
Population |
It is restricted to a single location, with scattered individuals being reported from the surrounding area. There are no formal estimates of population size for this taxon but the number of mature individuals is likely to be less than 1,000. The population is not known to be declining at the moment but is highly likely to decline in future due to illegal collection for the succulent ornamental plant trade.
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Population trend | Unknown |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Conophytum ectypum N.E.Br. subsp. sulcatum (L.Bolus) S.A.Hammer | VU D1+2 | 2015.1 | | Conophytum ectypum N.E.Br. subsp. sulcatum (L.Bolus) S.A.Hammer | Least Concern | Raimondo et al. (2009) | |
Bibliography |
Hammer, S. 2002. Dumpling and his wife: New view of the genus Conophytum. EAE Creative Colour, Norwich.
Hammer, S.A. 1993. The genus Conophytum: A conograph. Succulent Plant Publications, Pretoria.
Hausfather, Z. and Peters, G.P. 2020. Emissions - the 'business as usual' story is misleading. Nature 577(618-620).
Opel, M.R. 2004. The rediscovery of Crassula alcicornis. Haseltonia 10:38-40.
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Citation |
| Young, A.J., Desmet, P.G., Ebrahim, I., Harrower, A., Jabar, L., Knoetze, L., Rodgerson, C., Van Wyk, P.C.V., Mhlongo, N.N. & Guo, D. 2023. Conophytum ectypum N.E.Br. subsp. sulcatum (L.Bolus) S.A.Hammer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/07 |
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