Psychotria rosmarinifolia is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, known recently from Balabio and col de Parari in the north of Grande Terre. Old herbarium specimens were collected between Pouébo and Tchiaor. It occurs in dense humid and scerophyll forest on volcano-sedimentary at an altitudinal range 10-150 m asl. The main threat impacting this species is bushfires. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) being respectively estimated to 16 and 94 km², while the number of locations are estimated to be two. Psychotria rosmarinifolia is therefore assessed as Endangered (EN) with criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v) with a continuing decline of all concerned sub-criteria.

Geographical area

Psychotria rosmarinifolia is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, known recently from Balabio and col de Parari in the north of Grande Terre. Old herbarium specimens were collected between Pouébo and Tchiaor.

Population

It is known from two sub-populations : Ile Balabio and Col de Parari.

Habitat

It occurs in dense humid and scerophyll forest on volcano-sedimentary at an altitudinal range 10-150 m asl.

Threats

The main threat impacting this species is bushfires. Uncontrolled bushfires sweep across New Caledonia each year, especially during the dry season (an average of 20,000 ha of land is burnt each year, with dramatic peaks of 70,000 ha).

Conservation

Psychotria rosmarinifolia is unprotected by legislation and it does not occur in any protected area. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (emergency services) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas.

Bibliography

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

Barrabé L, Maggia L, Pillon Y, Rigault F, Mouly A, Davis AP, Buerki S 2014. New Caledonian lineages of Psychotria (Rubiaceae) reveal different evolutionary histories and the largest documented plant radiation for the archipelago. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution(71) , p.15-35.

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.

Barrabé L. 2013. Systématique et Evolution du genre Psychotria (Rubiaceæ) en Nouvelle-Calédonie.

Experts

Assessor(s): Barrabé, L., Amice, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Hequet, V., Maura, J., McCoy, S., Suprin, B., Vandrot, H., Veillon, J.

Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V., Lannuzel, G.

Facilitator(s): Maura, J., Ramon, L., Tanguy, V., Warimavute, G.