Taxonomy
Pittosporum gracile
Common name :
Savonnier
Synonyms
Pittosporum verticillatum Montrouz. • Pittosporum triste Vieill. ex GuillauminRed List Status -
Data Deficient (DD) , assessed in 23/07/2015
Pittosporum gracile is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, which under current taxonomic delimitation, is largely distributed from the north to the south of Grande Terre and is also on Ile des Pins. Nevertheless current phylogenetic studies suggest that sub-populations from Belep, Pouembout, Tiébaghi and the populations in Toutouta may represent different species. P. gracile is thus classified under Data Deficient category until taxonomic delimitation of this complex is clarified.
Geographical area
P. gracile is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, largely distributed from the north to the south of Grande Terre but also on Ile des Pins.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
P. gracile could be found mainly in dense humid forest but also in shrubland, almost always on ultramafic substrate and more rarely on schist.
Threats
P. gracile does not appear affected specifically by any kind of threat with the exception of mining activities which may impact a few sub-populations.
Conservation
P. gracile is not protected by legislation. Nevertheless this species occurs in many protected areas : réserve naturelle de la Nodéla, réserve naturelle de la Haute Dumbéa, réserve naturelle de la Forêt Nord and also réserve naturelle du Cap N’Dua. To assess its risk of extinction, it is both critical and urgent that phylogenetic and morphological studies focus on this complex, to describe species and sub-species currently brought together under the species P. gracile.
Bibliography
Tirel, C. & Veillon J.-M. 2002. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 24 : Pittosporaceae.
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.
Experts
Assessor(s): Gemmill, C., Veillon, J., Amice, R., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Maggia, L.
Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.
Facilitator(s): Chanfreau, S.