Taxonomy
Planchonella sphaerocarpa
Common name :
Bois cochon
Synonyms
Pyriluma sphaerocarpum (Baill.) Aubrév. • Pouteria sphaerocarpa (Baill.) Baehni
Sideroxylon sphaerocarpum Baill.
Red List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 29/11/2019Protected species -
in Northern Province
Planchonella sphaerocarpa is an endemic tree of New Caledonia, where it has a scattered, but wide distribution across Grande Terre. It grows in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate up to 700 m asl. Although some subpopulations may be impacted by habitat degradation by bushfires or invasive species, this species does not appear to be threatened. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 11,528 and 148 km², respectively. Therefore, P. sphaerocarpa is listed as Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
P. sphaerocarpa is endemic to New Caledonia, where it has a wide, but scattered distribution across Grande Terre, from col d'Amieu to Golone, as well as a few observations in the south.
Population
Population size is unknown, but field observations indicate that this species is common.
Habitat
This tall tree grows in dense humid forest, mainly on volcano-sedimentary substrate up to 700 m asl. It has also been occasionally observed on ultramafic or calcareous substrate.
Threats
Although some subpopulations could be impacted by habitat degradation by bushfires or invasive species (Rusa deer Rusa timorensis, feral pigs (Sus scrofa)), this species does not appear to be threatened.
Conservation
P. sphaerocarpa is protected by legislation in Province Nord, but it occurs in several protected areas: Mt. Panié, Aoupinié, Montagne des Sources and Forêt Nord natural reserves, as well as the Grandes Fougères provincial park.
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.
Aubréville A. 1967. Flore de la Nouvelle Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 01 : Sapotacées.
Experts
Assessor(s): Barrault, J., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Munzinger, J., Vandrot, H.
Reviewer(s): Swenson, U.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Tanguy, V., Meyer, S.