Aloe erinacea
EN

Aloe erinacea

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloe_erinacea

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Aloe erinacea faces severe pressure from illegal collection for the horticultural trade, where its distinctive hedgehog-like appearance makes it highly sought after by succulent collectors. Habitat degradation from overgrazing by livestock and infrastructure development in its limited range further compounds population decline. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns in its already arid habitat.

Threat summary

Habitat

Aloe erinacea inhabits rocky outcrops and steep slopes in the succulent karoo vegetation of the Western Cape, South Africa. It grows in well-drained, mineral-rich soils on quartzite and sandstone substrates at elevations between 200-800 meters.

Conservation measures underway

Legislation

Other threatened species in ASPHODELACEAE

EN

Kniphofia hildebrandtii

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Aloe mangeaensis

Unknown
EN

Aloe alfredii

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Aloe trinervis

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Threatened in Namibia

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Nothobranchius capriviensis

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Cape GannetEN

Cape Gannet

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Short-tailed Albatross

Phoebastria albatrus

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Aloe erinacea classified as Endangered?
Aloe erinacea is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Aloe erinacea faces severe pressure from illegal collection for the horticultural trade, where its distinctive hedgehog-like appearance makes it highly sought after by succulent collectors. Habitat degradation from overgrazing by livestock and infrastructure development in its limited range further compounds population decline. Climate change poses an additional threat through altered precipitation patterns in its already arid habitat.
Where does Aloe erinacea live?
Aloe erinacea occurs in Namibia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Aloe erinacea?
The main threats to Aloe erinacea are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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