Picrella trifoliata is an endemic shrub or small tree of New Caledonia, growing up to 0.5 to 10 m high. It is widely distributed across the Grande Terre as well as in Loyalty Islands (Ouvéa and Lifou) and Walpole island. This species occurs in maquis, dry forest and humid forests on various substrates at an altitude range of 10 and 1,000 m asl. It does not seem threatened although some subpopulations can be potentially impacted by bushfires and Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and mining activities at Plateau de Thio and Claude & Philomene's mining sites. Therefore with an Area of Occupancy (AOO) and an Extent of occurrence (EOO) equal to 84 and 48,174 km² respectively, Picrella trifoliata is not thought to approach the conditions for listing as threatened under any criterion and is listed as Least Concern (LC).

Geographical area

Picrella trifoliata is endemic to New Caledonia where it is widely distributed across the Grande Terre as well as in Loyalty Islands (Ouvéa and Lifou) and Walpole island.

Population

Population size is unknown.

Habitat

Picrella trifoliata occurs in maquis, dry forest and humid forests on various substrate at an altitude range of 10 and 1,000 m asl.

Threats

Picrella trifoliata is not globally threatened although some subpopulations can be potentially impacted by bushfires and Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) and mining activities at Plateau de Thio and Claude & Philomene's mining sites.

Conservation

Picrella trifoliata is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does occur in four protected areas : Mont Panié, Mont Mou, Parc des Grandes Fougères, Vallée de la Thy. The experts note a high variability in this group and it can also contain multiple taxa that may deserve species-level recognition. Taxonomic and genetic studies are needed to confirm or refuting these assumptions.

Bibliography

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

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].

Hartley T.G. 2003. The identity of Picrella Baill. (Rutaceae) with a revision of the genus. Adansonia ser. 3(25 (2)) , p.251-259.

Experts

Assessor(s): Bruy, D., Butin, J., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Héquet, V., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Vandrot, H.

Reviewer(s): Cazé, H.

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