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Scientific Name | Conophytum jucundum (N.E.Br.) N.E.Br. subsp. ruschii (Schwantes) S.A.Hammer |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
Synonyms | Conophytum ruschii Schwantes (in part), Conophytum ruschii Schwantes var. obtusipetalum L.Bolus, Conophytum ruschii Schwantes var. ruschii, Conophytum speciosum Tischer, Conophytum wettsteinii (A.Berger) N.E.Br. subsp. ruschii (Schwantes) S.A.Hammer, Conophytum wettsteinii (A.Berger) N.E.Br. var. oculatum L.Bolus, Conophytum wettsteinii (A.Berger) N.E.Br. var. speciosum (Tischer) Tischer |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered A4d |
Assessment Date | 2021/11/30 |
Assessor(s) | A.J. Young, P.G. Desmet, I. Ebrahim, D. Guo, A. Harrower, L. Jabar, L. Knoetze, C. Rodgerson, P.C.V. Van Wyk & N.N. Mhlongo |
Justification | This succulent is endemic to the Northern Cape province of South Africa with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 2,006 km² and area of occupancy (AOO) of 76 km². The population is in decline due to illegal collection for the ornamental succulent plant trade, with collection likely to increase as there has been a dramatic increase in the number of species and volume of plants targeted since 2019. The scattered distribution of the plants across a remote and sometimes inaccessible landscape coupled with the uncertainty of how this succulent will respond to climate change means a decline of 50% of the population is suspected over the next three generations (90 years). It therefore qualifies as Endangered under criterion A4. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape |
Range | This succulent is endemic to the Richtersveld region of the Northern Cape province of South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Succulent Karoo |
Description | This succulent is found in the Succulent Karoo biome where it is endemic to the Richtersveld bioregion. The plants experience winter rainfall. They are found on gneiss, often in the shade, sometimes in weathered depressions. This taxon 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 succulent has been subject to illegal collection for the international trade in ornamental succulents since 2019. This is likely to increase in future as there has been a dramatic increase in the number of species and volume of plants targeted since 2019. Anthropogenic climate change is a long-term threat to this taxon. Loss of vegetation cover has been observed across the geographic range occupied by this succulent via Landsat imagery between 1984 and 2018 indicating a decline in habitat quality. 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 65% and 99% by 2080 for this taxon. However, as this taxon possesses certain traits likely to afford resilience to xerophytic conditions it is expected to have a level of resilience to climate change and the expected population loss is reduced by 20% to 45%. Species in this genus have limited dispersal ability and migration to suitable habitats elsewhere is regarded as highly unlikely. |
Population |
This dwarf succulent is widespread and found in numerous subpopulations where it it is typically locally common. The population size is likely to be well in excess of 50,000 plants. The population is in decline due to illegal collection to supply the international trade in ornamental succulents. The population is also suspected to be declining in response to an extended drought in the Richtersveld that started in 2016 and is still ongoing at the time of assessment.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Conophytum jucundum (N.E.Br.) N.E.Br. subsp. ruschii (Schwantes) 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.
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., Guo, D., Harrower, A., Jabar, L., Knoetze, L., Rodgerson, C., Van Wyk, P.C.V. & Mhlongo, N.N. 2021. Conophytum jucundum (N.E.Br.) N.E.Br. subsp. ruschii (Schwantes) S.A.Hammer. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2024/12/07 |
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