Taxonomy
Synonyms
Gymnema sylvestre var. lanceolata GuillauminRed List Status -
Near Threatened (NT) , assessed in 24/10/2019
Gymnema tricholepis is an indigenous liana in New Caledonia quite common across the Grande Terre as well as in Loyalty Islands (Ovéa and Lifou) and Ile des Pins. This species occurs in dry forests around the Nouméa area and some coastal calcicolous forest at Ouvéa and Ile des Pins and others small islets and islands mainly in the south of Grande Terre. This suggests that this species could have been more common in the past when the dry forets formed a continious patch across the west coast of Grande Terre. Land clearing for urbanisation around Nouméa and pastureland (at the north of Païta) and Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) as well as bushfires (mainly at Negropo) are the main threats for the sbupopulation across the Grande Terre. Therefore with an Area of Occupancy (AOO) and Extent of Occurrence (EOO) being respectively estimated to be 92 and 35,435 km², Gymnema tricholepis is considered Near Threatened (NT) close to B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v), with a number of locations estimated to be more than 10.
Geographical area
Gymnema tricholepis is an indigenous liana from New Caledonia with a discontinious distribution across the main island (Grande Terre) as well as in Ile des Pins, Loyalty Islands (Ouvéa, Lifou) and other small islands and islet in the south of Grande Terre.
Population
It is very common in New Caledonia.
Habitat
Gymnema tricholepis occurs in dry forests around the Nouméa area and some coastal calcicolous forest at Ouvéa and Ile des Pins and others small islets and islands mainly in the south of Grande Terre at an altitude range of 1 and 180 m asl.
Threats
The main impact identified areas are land clearing for urbanisation around Nouméa and pastureland (at the north of Païta) and Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) as well as bushfires (mainly at Negropo) are the main threats for the sbupopulation across the Grande Terre.
Conservation
Gymnema tricholepis is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia. It occurs in two protected areas: Parc zoologique et forestier Michel Corbasson, Ouen Toro.
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.
Boiteau Pierre avec collaboration de Lucie Allorge 1982. Flore de la Nouvelle Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 10 : Apocynacées.
LIEDE-SCHUMANN S., MEVE U., GÂTEBLÉ G., BARRIERA G. & FICI S. 2020. Apocynaceae p.p., Phellinaceae, Capparaceae : Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Héquet, V., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Vandrot, H., Pillon, Y.
Reviewer(s): Veillon, J.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Meyer, S., Gâteblé, G.