Taxonomy
Synonyms
Oxera nuda Virot • Oxera schimperi Vieill. ex GuillauminRed List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 08/09/2017Protected species -
in Northern ProvinceOxera baladica is a shrub or small monocaulous tree endemic to New Caledonia. It is largely distributed in Grande Terre and occurs in low dense humid forest and shrubland on different substrates (ultramafic, volcano-sedimentary and calcareous rocks). It has an Extent of Occurrence (EOO) equal to 11,090 km² and a minimum Area of Occupancy (AOO) of 200 km², but it does not appear to be significantly threatened at the moment. Therefore, Oxera baladica is assessed as Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
Oxera baladica is an endemic species of New Caledonia and it is largely distributed in Grande Terre.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
O. baladica occurs in dense humid forest and scrubland on various substrates (ultramafic, volcano-sedimentary and calcareous rocks) up to 500 m asl.
Threats
This species could be impacted by mining activities at Vulcain (SMGM), Poum (SLN) and Tiebaghi (SLN), Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) in Koumac, Ouitchambo and Nessadiou and fires for the low-altitude populations on the west coast. However due to its large distribution, this species does not appear to be threatened at the moment.
Conservation
This species is not protected by any legislation in New Caledonia and does not occur in any protected areas. This species is cultivated at the IAC (Institut Agronomique de Nouvelle-Calédonie) nursery of Saint-Louis with only a few number of individuals. The experts note a high variability in this group and it can also contain multiple taxa that may deserve species-level recognition. Taxonomic and genetic studies are currently underway to confirm or refuting these assumptions.
Bibliography
Mabberley DJ, de Kok RPJ. 2004. Labiatae. In: Morat P,ed. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendance.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Morat, P.; Jaffré, T.; Tronchet, F.; Munzinger, J.; Pillon, Y.; Veillon, J.-M. and Chalopin, M. 2012. Le référentiel taxonomique Florical et les caractéristiques de la flore vasculaire indigène de la Nouvelle-Calédonie [The taxonomic database « FLORICAL » and characteristics of the indigenous flora of New Caledonia]. Adansonia sér 3(34) , p.177-219.
Gâteblé, G. 2016. Flore ornementale de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Barrabé L, Karnadi-Abdelkader,G, Ounemoa,J,de Kok RPJ., Robert N, Gâteble,G. 2015. Recircumscription of Oxera (Lamiaceae: Ajugoideae) ta include Faradaya based on molecular and anatomical data. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society(179) , p.693-711.
Experts
Assessor(s): Gâteblé, G., Barrabé, L., Fleurot, D., Amice, R., Cazé, H., Bruy, D., Héquet, V., Vandrot, H., Butin, J., Mandaoué, L., Haverkamp, C., Dumontet, V., Laudereau, C.
Reviewer(s): Meyer, S.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Tanguy, V.