Taxonomy
Oenotrichia maxima
Synonyms
Leptolepia maxima (E.Fourn.) C.Chr. • Leptolepia aspidioides Mett. ex Kuhn
Leucostegia maxima E.Fourn.
• Davallia maxima (E.Fourn.) Baker
Red List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 30/10/2019
Oenotrichia maxima is an endemic terrestrial fern from New Caledonia, where it is widely distributed across the northern half of Grande Terre, as well as Yahoué in the south. It grows in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate from 400 and 860 m asl. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 2,685 and 68 km², respectively, and no specific threats have been identified. Therefore, O. maxima is listed as Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
O. maxima is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is widely distributed across the northern half of Grande Terre, from Plateau de Dogny to Ouégoa, as well as Yahoué (Dumbéa).
Population
Population size is unknown, but field observation indicate that this species is common.
Habitat
This terrestrial fern grows in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate from 400 to 860 m asl.
Threats
No specific threats have been identified.
Conservation
O. maxima is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and does not occur in any protected areas. Prospection is suggested in Yahoué, a station that it distant from the rest of its distribution where this species has not been observed since 1955.
Bibliography
Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Rouhan G., Bruy, D., Veillon J.-M., & M. Chalopin. 2019. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia..
Brownlie G. 1969. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et Dépendances, Volume 03 : Pteridophytae.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Héquet, V., Perrie, L., Suprin, B., Vandrot, H.
Reviewer(s): Rouhan, G.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Meyer, S.