Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Data Deficient (DD) , assessed in 26/10/2018
Polyosma spicata is an endemic shrub or tree from New Caledonia, for which the type specimen could not be found at P herbarium, when there is no reason to believe it could be located elsewhere. This renders identification of later records very difficult. A recent study of the genus Polyosma found this species to resemble P. discolor, which is also missing its type specimen (Pillon 2018). According to the auhtor of this study, the discolor/spicata couple could be a single species, or even comprise a third undescribed species. For these taxonomic reasons, P. spicata is listed as Data Deficient (DD).
Geographical area
P. spicata is endemic to New Caledonia, where its range could span the northern half of Grande Terre, from Mt. Nakada (Thio) to Col d'Amoss (Ouégoa). This is entirely hypothetical, since it is impossible to distinguish P. discolor from P. spicata on available specimens.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
This shrub or small tree is suspected to grow in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary or ultramafic substrate from 350 to 1,100 m asl.
Threats
On its hypothetical geographic range, this species could be threatened by habitat degradation by invasive species (rusa deer Rusa timorensis and feral pigs Sus scrofa). Subpopulations on Mts. Paéoua and Boulinda could also be impacted by future mining activities.
Conservation
P. spicata is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia, but it could occur in several protected areas: Mt. Panié and Aoupinié natural reserves, as well as the Grandes Fougères provincial park. But information on this species is largely hypothetical at the moment. A taxonomic study with a new typification is highly needed to clarify the P. discolor/spicata complex.
Bibliography
Pillon, Y. 2018. Nomenclature and typification in Polyosma (Escalloniaceae) from New Caledonia, with the description of a new species. Phytotaxa(371 (4)) , p.267-272.
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.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Goxe, J., Henry, B., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Mandaoué, L., Pillon, Y., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Vandrot, H.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Meyer, S.