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Scientific Name | Conophytum reconditum A.R.Mitch. |
Higher Classification | Dicotyledons |
Family | AIZOACEAE |
National Status |
Status and Criteria | Endangered A4d |
Assessment Date | 2021/12/02 |
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 dwarf succulent species is endemic to the Western Cape and Northern Cape province of South Africa with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 3,479 km2 and area of occupancy (AOO) of 92 km2. The population is in decline due to illegal collection for the international trade in ornamental succulents, 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 continued threat of illegal collection is therefore regarded as very high for this particular species and a decline of between 50 and 75% of the population is suspected within the three generations (90 years). It therefore qualifies as Endangered under criterion A4. |
Distribution |
Endemism | South African endemic |
Provincial distribution | Northern Cape, Western Cape |
Range | This species is endemic to the Western Cape and Northern Cape province of South Africa. |
Habitat and Ecology |
Major system | Terrestrial |
Major habitats | Fynbos, Succulent Karoo |
Description | This species is primarily found in a number of bioregions and vegetation units of the Succulent Karoo biome but is also present in the Fynbos biome. The plants have a cryptic semi-subterranean habit, occupying shallow grit pans on gneiss, often beneath small rocks / grit. It 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 species is currently threatened by illegal collection for the international trade in ornamental succulents. 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 species. 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 29% and 74% by 2080 for this species. However, as this taxon possesses certain morphological traits likely to afford resilience to xerophytic conditions and is found across several vegetation units it is expected to have a level of resilience to climate change and the expected population loss is reduced by 20% to 9%. Species in this genus have limited dispersal ability and migration to suitable habitats elsewhere is regarded as highly unlikely.
Trampling and grazing by livestock also presents a localised threat to some subpopulations. |
Population |
It is known from several subpopulations where it is typically abundant, sometimes forming locally dense stands of individuals. There are no formal estimates of population size for this species but there are likely between 250,000 and 500,000 mature individuals. The population is in decline due to illegal collection for the ornamental succulent plant trade. At least 1,500 plants have been removed from habitat between 2019 and the end of 2021 based on confiscation records, with many more having likely been removed but not intercepted by law enforcers.
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Population trend | Decreasing |
Assessment History |
Taxon assessed |
Status and Criteria |
Citation/Red List version | | Conophytum reconditum A.R.Mitch. | LC | 2017.1 | | Conophytum reconditum A.R.Mitch. subsp. reconditum | 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., Guo, D., Harrower, A., Jabar, L., Knoetze, L., Rodgerson, C., Van Wyk, P.C.V. & Mhlongo, N.N. 2021. Conophytum reconditum A.R.Mitch. National Assessment: Red List of South African Plants version . Accessed on 2025/04/13 |
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