Taxonomy
Synonyms
Acsmithia pedunculata (Schltr.) HooglandRed List Status -
Endangered (EN) , assessed in 21/07/2016Protected species -
in Southern Province
Spiraeanthemum pedunculatum is an endemic shrub/small tree of the south of Grande Terre in New Caledonia. It is found in shrubland and dense humid forest at low and mid altitude on ultramafic substrate. The main threats impacting this species comes from habitat fragmentation and reduction caused by bushfires and mining activities. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) being estimated respectively to 32 and 141 km², Spiraeanthemum pedunculatum is considered Endangered (EN) using criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) with an estimation of 5 locations and an estimated decline of all sub-criteria.
Geographical area
Spiraeanthemum pedunculatum is restricted to the south of Grande Terre in New Caledonia from Rivière Blanche to Yaté/Plaine des Lacs.
Population
This species is not common. It is known from 4-5 subpopulations. The Plaine des Lacs subpopulation might have disappeared (last observation in 1970).
Habitat
It is found in shrubland and dense humid forest at low and mid altitude (200-400 m asl) on ultramafic substrate, mainly at the proximity of riverbanks.
Threats
The main threats impacting this species comes from habitat fragmentation and reduction caused by bushfires and mining activities (Goro).
Conservation
Unprotected by legislation, this species is found in several protected areas : Bois du Sud, Pic du Pin, Chutes de la Madeleine, Forêt cachée. As this species is threatened by bushfires, its stations must be included in the maps of Sécurité Civile. It is recommended to experiment ex-situ conservation (seeds banking).
Bibliography
H. C. F. Hopkins, J. C. Bradford, B. Donovan, Y. Pillon, J. Munzinger, B. Fogliani 2015. Floral biology of the Cunoniaceae in New Caledonia and the role of insects, birds and geckos as potential pollinators.
Morat, P.; Jaffré, T.; Tronchet, F.; Munzinger, J.; Pillon, Y.; Veillon, J.-M. and Chalopin, M. 2012. The taxonomic database « FLORICAL » and characteristics of the indigenous flora of New Caledonia. Adansonia(334) , p.177-219.
Helen Fortune Hopkins, Yohan Pillon, Ruurd Hoogland 2015. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie : Cunoniaceae.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Pillon, Y., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Hequet, V., Letocart, D., Letocart, I., Tanguy, V., Tiavouane, J., Tron, F.
Reviewer(s): Fogliani, B.
Contributor(s): Couhia, J., Fortune-Hopkins, H., Brinkert, M.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Maura, J.