Taxonomy
Planchonella leptostylidifolia
Synonyms
Pouteria leptostylidifolia (Guillaumin) comb. ined. • Iteiluma leptostylidifolia (Guillaumin) Aubrév.Red List Status -
Vulnerable (VU) , assessed in 27/10/2017Protected species -
in Northern Province
Planchonella leptostylidifolia is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is distributed across the ultramafic massifs on the west coast of Grande Terre. It is found in shrubland and humid forest on ultramafic soil from 20 to 225 m asl. Known from 8 locations, its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are 48 km² and 4434 km², respectively. The main threat is posed by uncontrolled bushfires. Therefore, P. leptostylidifolia is listed as Vulnerable (VU) under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
P. leptostylidifolia is endemic to New Caledonia, where it has a scattered distribution on the west coast of Grande Terre (Koumac, Koné, Pouembout, Tontouta).
Population
Population size is unknown, but field observations indicate the species is locally abundant at Babouillat (D. Fleurot, comm. pers.)
Habitat
P. leptostylidifolia occurs in shrubland and humid forest on ultramafic soil from 20 to 225 m asl.
Threats
The main threat is posed by uncontrolled bushfires.
Conservation
P. leptostylidifolia is protected by legislation in Province Nord, but does not occur in any protected areas. This species would benefit from ex situ and in situ emergency conservation actions. It is recommended to inform the local authority responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort about the presence of the species in the concerned areas.
Bibliography
Lannuzel, G.; Gâteblé, G.; Fogliani, B. 2017. Etude des Espèces Rares et Menacées des sites miniers de la SMT.
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): Amice, R., Barrière, R., Butin, J., Fleurot, D., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Letocart, I., Suprin, B.
Reviewer(s): Veillon, J.
Contributor(s): Russ, L.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Tanguy, V.