Virotia rousselii is an endemic shrub or big tree from New Caledonia, growing up to 20 m high. It is distributed from the center to the northern part of Grande Terre, from Col des Roussettes to Haut Coulna (Hienghène). This species occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate at an altitude range of 120 and 850 m asl. This species is locally abondant at Tchamba and Aoupinié and may be threatened by Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and bushfires mostly at Col des Roussettes. Its Area of Occupancy (AOO) and Extent of Occurrence (EOO) are respectively estimated to be 88 and 2,748 km² and its number of locations is estimated to be over 10. V. rousselii is therefore considered Near Threatened (NT) close to VU B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) with an estimated decline of the habitat quality and the number of mature individuals.

Geographical area

Virotia rousselii is endemic to New Caledonia where it is distributed from the center to the northern part of Grande Terre, from Col des Roussettes to Haut Coulna (Hienghène).

Population

Population size is not known but based on field observations this species is locally abondant at Tchamba and Aoupinié.

Habitat

Virotia rousselii occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate at an altitude range of 120 and 850 m asl.

Threats

This species may be threatened by Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) at Tchamba and Aoupinié and bushfires mostly at Col des Roussettes and Canala.

Conservation

Virotia rousselii is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does occur in one protected area: Aoupinié.

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.

HOPKINS, H.C.F. & Y. PILLON 2020. Virotia azurea (Proteaceae: Macadamieae), a striking new species endemic to New Caledonia and notes on V. francii and V. leptophylla. Candollea(75) , p.89-98.

Virot, R. 1968. Flore de la Nouvelle Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 02 : Protéacées.

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Héquet, V., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Vandrot, H., Gâteblé, G.

Reviewer(s): Veillon, J.

Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Pillon, Y., Meyer, S.