Taxonomy
Cleistanthus stipitatus
Synonyms
Cleistanthus stipitatus var. hypoleucus Müll.Arg. • Kaluhaburunghos stipitatus (Baill.) Kuntze
Bridelia laurina Baill.
• Lebidiera laurina (Baill.) Müll.Arg.
• Cleistanthus stipitatus var. laurinus (Baill.) Müll.Arg.
• Bridelia buxifolia Baill.
• Cleistanthus stipitatus f. buxifolia (Baill.) Guillaumin
• Cleistanthus stipitatus f. subcanescens Jabl.
• Bridelia stipitata Baill.
Red List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 01/10/2020
Cleistanthus stipitatus is a small endemic tree from New Caledonia, which under current taxonomic delimitation is widely distributed across Grande Terre, as well as Bélep. It occurs in numerous habitat types on ultramafic or volcano-sedimentary substrate up to 700 m asl. Some subpopulations may be impacted by habitat degradation by bushfires or mining activities, but globally this species does not seem to be threatened. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are estimated at 18,601 and 388 km², respectively. A taxonomic study is needed to confirm whether this species indeed contains several distinct taxa. Pending this study and considering its current definition, C. stipitatus is listed as Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
C. stipitatus is endemic to New Caledonia, where it has a wide distribution across Grande Terre, from Port Boisé to Poum, as well as several northern islets and the Bélep archipelago.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
This small tree grows in multiple habitat types on volcano-sedimentary or ultramafic substrate up to 600 m asl.
Threats
Although some subpopulations may be impacted by bushfires or mining activities (Tiébaghi, Michel 38 Tunney, Cap Bocage), this species does not appear to be threatened.
Conservation
C. stipitatus is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia but it occurs in several protected areas: Vallée de la Thy, Barrage de Yaté and Cap N’Dua natural reserves, as well as the Haute Dumbéa, Rivière Bleue, Côte Oubliée and Michel Corbasson provincial parks. A taxonomic study is strongly needed to clear up this species, which is highly variable and is suspected to contain several distinct taxa.
Bibliography
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
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].
McPherson, G.; Schmid, M. 1991. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 17 : Euphorbiaceae II Phyllanthaceae.
Experts
Assessor(s): Vandrot, H., Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Héquet, V., Laudereau, C., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Gâteblé, G.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Meyer, S.