Taxonomy
Common name :
Herbe à piquants, jööxöö (xârâcùù)?
Synonyms
Andropogon contortus L.Red List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 31/01/2023
Heteropogon contortus is an autochtonous herb from New Caledonia, where it is widely distributed across Grande Terre, as well as in Bélep islands, Ile des Pins and Loyalty islands (Maré, Ouvéa and Lifou). It occurs in open areas in particular in open forest, savanna, shrubland, grassland, roadside on various substrates up to 400 m asl. This species is very common and this species does not seem to be threatened. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are estimated at 65,271 and 136 km², respectively. Therefore, Heteropogon contortus is listed as Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
Heteropogon contortus is an autochtonous herb from New Caledonia, where it is widely distributed across Grande Terre, as well as in Bélep islands, Ile des Pins and Loyalty islands (Maré, Ouvéa and Lifou).
Population
Population size is unknown, but field observations indicate that this species is very common.
Habitat
Heteropogon contortus occurs in open areas in particular in open forest, savanna, shrubland, grassland, roadside on various substrates up to 400 m asl.
Threats
This species is very common and this species does not seem to be threatened.
Conservation
Heteropogon contortus is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does not occur in two protected areas : Parc zoologique et forestier Michel Corbasson, Ile Leprédour.
Bibliography
Lormée N.; Cabalion P.; Hnawia E.S. 2011. Hommes et plantes de Maré.
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.
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.
Butaud, J.-F. 2014. Flore des îles Loyauté (Nouvelle-Calédonie) : plantes patrimoniales, plantes envahissantes et espaces naturels remarquables.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Barrière, R., Bruy, D., Butaud, J., Cazé, H., Eltabet, N., Garnier, D., Laudereau, C.
Reviewer(s): Lannuzel, G.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Fourdrain, A.