Alyxia rubricaulis is an endemic liana from New Caledonia with a scattered distribution across Grande Terre. It is mainly distributed in the north west part of Grande Terre, from Bourail to Koniambo massif at the northern limit and some isolated observations at the southern limit of the Grande Terre (Nakéty, Ouroué, Tontouta and Mois de Mai). This species is found in talweg forest and maquis on ultramafic substrate up to 780 m asl. This species is common in the north west but it is less common in the rest of the distribution. The main threats are bushfires and indirectly the mining activities (soil erosion, road construction) at Koniambo and Kopéto massifs. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 5,851 and 120 km², respectively, with a number of locations estimated to be over ten, perhaps more. Therefore, Alyxia rubricaulis is listed as Near Threatened (NT) close to VU B1ab(ii,iii,v)+B2ab(ii,iii,v).

Geographical area

Alyxia rubricaulis is endemic to New Caledonia where it is has a scattered distribution across Grande Terre. It is mainly distributed in the north west part of Grande Terre, from Bourail to Koniambo massif at the northern limit and some isolated observations at the southern limit of the Grande Terre (Nakéty, Ouroué, Tontouta and Mois de Mai).

Population

The population size is not known. However field observations indicate that the species is common at the north west but is less common in the rest of the distribution.

Habitat

This species occurs in in talweg forest and maquis on ultramafic substrate up to 780 m asl.

Threats

The main threats are bushfires and indirectly effect of mining activities (soil erosion, road construction) on volcano-sedimentary at Koniambo and Kopéto massifs.

Conservation

Alyxia rubricaulis is protected by legislation in Province Nord and it does occur in one protected area : Rivière Bleue.

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].

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.

Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.

Boiteau Pierre avec collaboration de Lucie Allorge 1982. Flore de la Nouvelle Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 10 : Apocynacées.

Lannuzel et al. 2024. Alyxia Banks ex R.Br. in New Caledonia: a clarification of several species complexes, nomenclatural notes, and a description of three new species. Phytotaxa(649 (1)) , p.1-43.

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Héquet, V., Bernard-Musmann, M., Goxe, J., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., Vandrot, H.

Reviewer(s): Pillon, Y.

Facilitator(s): Meyer, S., Warimavute, G., Fourdrain, A.