Diversity and Conservation Through Cultivation of <i>Hypoxis</i> in Africa—A Case Study of <i>Hypoxis hemerocallidea</i>

• Main Authors: Motiki M Mofokeng, Hintsa T Araya, Stephen O Amoo, David Sehlola, Christian P du Plooy, Michael W Bairu, Sonja Venter, Phatu W Mashela
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-03-01
• Series: Diversity
• Subjects: african potato; conservation; commercialization; cultivation; hypoxidaceae; medicinal plant; unsustainable harvesting; wild harvesting
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/12/4/122

Africa has the largest diversity of the genus <i>Hypoxis</i>, accounting for 61% of the current globally accepted taxa within the genus, including some endemic species. Using <i>Hypoxis hemerocallidea</i> as a case study, this review addresses the conservation concerns arising from the unsustainable, wild harvesting of a number of <i>Hypoxis</i> species. <i>Hypoxis hemerocallidea</i> is one of the wild-harvested, economically important, indigenous medicinal plants of southern Africa, with potential in natural product and drug development. There are several products made from the species, including capsules, tinctures, tonics and creams that are available in the market. The use of <i>H. hemerocallidea</i> as a &#8220;cure-all&#8221; medicine puts an important harvesting pressure on the species. Unsustainable harvesting causes a continuing decline of its populations and it is therefore of high priority for conservation, including a strong case to cultivate the species. Reviewing the current knowledge and gaps on cultivation of <i>H. hemerocallidea,</i> we suggest the creation of a platform for linking all the stakeholders in the industry.