Taxonomy
Synonyms
Caryophyllus rhopalanthus (Schltr.) GuillauminRed List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 26/01/2018
Syzygium rhopalanthum is an endemic shrub or small tree of New Caledonia with a scattered distribution in the north east of Grande Terre (Mandjelia, Tchingou and Paeoua) and the south of the Grande Terre (from Mont Do to Goro). This species is quite common and it occurs in dense humid forest, shrubland and transitional vegetation on volcano sedimentary and ultramafic substrates up to 1,600 m asl. With an extent of occurrence (EOO) equal to 7,771 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 192 km², S. rhopalanthum has no apparent threat, and is not thought to approach the requirements for listing as threatened. It is listed as Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
S. rhopalanthum is endemic to New Caledonia where it has a scattered distribution in the north east of Grande Terre (Mandjelia, Tchingou and Paeoua) and the south of the Grande Terre (from Mont Do to Goro).
Population
Population size is unknown but field observations show it is a common species.
Habitat
S. rhopalanthum occurs in dense humid forest, shrubland and transitional vegetation on volcano sedimentary and ultramafic substrate up to 1,600 m asl.
Threats
This species does not seem to be threatened, although some subpopulations may be impacted by fires and minig activities at Goro and Camp des sapins.
Conservation
S. rhopalanthum is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does occur in several protected areas: Pic du Pin, Barrage de Yaté, Mont Do, Montagne des sources, Massif du Kouakoué, Haute Yaté, Forêt de Saille, Mont Humboldt, Pic Ningua and Rivière bleue.
Bibliography
Dawson J.W. 1999. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 23 : Myrtaceae Myrtoideae 1 : Syzygium.
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.
Experts
Assessor(s): Héquet, V., Vandrot, H., Barrabé, L., Amice, R., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Suprin, B., Chambrey, C., Laudereau, C., Haverkamp, C., Fogliani, B.
Reviewer(s): Gâteblé, G.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Tanguy, V., Meyer, S.