Taxonomy
Elaeodendron cunninghamii
Common name :
Palat, teck blanc
Synonyms
Elaeodendron artense Montrouz. • Cassine cunninghamii (Montrouz.) Lobr.-Callen
Elaeodendron tuk Guillaumin
• Elaeodendron clusiophyllum Baill.
Red List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 20/11/2020
Elaeodendron cunninghamii is an endemic tree of New Caledonia widely distributed in Grande Terre as well as in Bélep islands and Ile des Pins. This species occurs in dense humid forest on ultramafic and volcano-sedimentary substrate at an altitude range of 2 and 1,100 m asl. This species is common and does not seem to be threatened although some subpopulations may be impacted by bushfires, mining activities and invasive species (Rusa timorensis). Despite having an Area of Occupancy (AOO) and an Extent of occurrence (EOO) equal to 124 and 13,801 km², respectively, Elaeodendron cunninghamii is therefore listed as Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
Elaeodendron cunninghamii is endemic to New Caledonia where it is widely distributed in Grande Terre as well as in Bélep islands and Ile des Pins.
Population
Population size is unknown. Field observations indicate a species that is common.
Habitat
Elaeodendron cunninghamii occurs in dense humid forest on ultramafic and volcano-sedimentary substrate at an altitude range of 2 and 1,100 m asl.
Threats
Elaeodendron cunninghamii does not seem to be threatened although some subpopulations may be threatened by bushfires, invasive species (Rusa timorensis) and mining activities at Goro, Kouaoua and Poro.
Conservation
Elaeocarpus cunninghamii is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does occur in three protected areas: Forêt cachée, Vallée de la Thy, Côte Oubliée. 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 needed to confirm or refuting these assumptions.
Bibliography
Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Rouhan G., Bruy, D., Veillon J.-M., & M. Chalopin 2020. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia [continuously updated].
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Morat, P. 1996. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 20 : Celastraceae, Loranthaceae, Alseuocmiaceae, Paracryphiaceae, Tiliaceae.
Experts
Assessor(s): Bruy, D., Butin, J., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Héquet, V., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Vandrot, H.
Reviewer(s): Cazé, H.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Meyer, S.