Argophyllum montanum is a shrub endemic from New Caledonia. It is restricted to the south the Grande Terre, from the far south of the Grande Terre to the upper limit at Dumbea-Yaté River area. It grows in scrubland (maquis) on ultramafic substrate at an altitude range of 10-900 m asl. This species does not seem threatened although some subpopulations may be impacted by mining activities at Goro. This species is common, seems to be resistant to bushfires and it occurs in several protected areas. With an Extent of Occurrence (EOO) and Area of Occupancy (AOO) respectively equal to 886 and 256 km², Argophyllum montanum is not thought to approach the requirements for listing as threatened. It is listed as Least Concern (LC).

Geographical area

Argophyllum montanum is endemic to New Caledonia where it is restricted to the south the Grande Terre, from the far south of the Grande Terre to the upper limit at Dumbea-Yaté River area.

Population

The population size is not known. Field prospections indicate that the species is very common.

Habitat

Argophyllum montanum grows in scrubland (maquis) on ultramafic substrate at an altitude range of 10-900 m asl.

Threats

This species does not seem to be threatened nowadays although some subpopulations may be impacted by mining activities at Goro.

Conservation

Argophyllum montanum is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does occur in several protected areas: Pic du Pin, Vallée de la Thy, Rivière bleue, Côte Oubliée, Haute Yaté, Montagne des sources, Pic du grand Kaori.

Bibliography

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

Pillon, Y.; Hequet, V. 2021. A New Species of Argophyllum (Argophyllaceae) with Notes on the Species from New Caledonia and Nickel Hyperaccumulation. Plants(10 (4)) , p.701.

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.

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Garnier, D., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., McCoy, S., Vandrot, H., Pillon, Y.

Reviewer(s): Fourdrain, A.

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