Taxonomy
Melaleuca quinquenervia
Common name :
Niaouli, itachou (paicî), pichöö (xârâcùù), bé (drubéa), mé, më, mö (kunié), nyauli (kunié),
Synonyms
Melaleuca viridiflora var. rubiflora Brongn. & Gris • Melaleuca leucadendron var. rubriflora (Brongn. & Gris) Guillaumin
Melaleuca viridiflora var. angustiflora (L.f.) Byrnes
• Metrosideros coriacea Poir.
• Melaleuca leucadendron var. angustifolia L.f.
• Metrosideros quinquenervia Cav.
• Melaleuca leucadendron var. nana Brongn. & Gris ex Guillaumin
• Melaleuca rubriflora Vieill. ex Brongn. & Gris
Red List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 17/11/2017
Melaleuca quinquenervia, commonly known as "niaouli", is a native shrub or tree from New Caledonia. It is widely distributed across Grande Terre and is also present on the Bélep islands, the Isle of Pines (Ile des Pins) and Maré island (Loyalty Islands). This species is common and abundant and is found up to 1,000 m asl in savannas, secondary forests, wetlands and sometimes shrubland on ultramafic and volcano-sedimentary substrate. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are equal to 50,858 and 424 km², respectively, and the species is not considered to be threatened. Therefore, M. quinquenervia is listed as Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
M. quinquenervia is native to New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and eastern Australia. In New Caledonia, it is widely distributed across Grande Terre, as well as the Bélep islands, the Isle of Pines (Ile des Pins) and Maré island (Loyalty Islands).
Population
Population size is unknown, but field observations indicate that the species is very common and abundant.
Habitat
M. quinquenervia occurs in savannas, secondary forests and wetlands on ultramafic and volcano-sedimentary substrate up to 1,000 m asl.
Threats
This widely distributed species does not seem to be threatened at the moment. Some subpopulations might be impacted by mining activities now (Goro (Vale)) or in the future (Bélep Islands). Infection by myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) has also been observed.
Conservation
M. quinquenervia is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia but it does occur in numerous protected areas: Mont Panié, Aoupinié, Vallée de la Thy, Parc zoologique et forestier Michel Corbasson, Montagne des sources and Parc des Grandes Fougères.
Bibliography
Dawson J.W. 1992. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 18 : Myrtacées Leptospermoïdées.
Soewarto J., Carriconde F., Hugot N., Bocs S., Hamelin C. & Maggia L. 2018. Impact of Austropuccinia psidii in New Caledonia, a biodiversity hotspot.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Butin, J., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Goxe, J., Héquet, V., Lannuzel, G., Suprin, B., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Vandrot, H.
Facilitator(s): Tanguy, V., Warimavute, G.