Taxonomy
Planchonella lauracea
Synonyms
Planchonella dictyoneura (Baill.) Pierre • Planchonella serpentina S.Moore
Pouteria lauracea (Baill.) Baehni
• Sideroxylon lauraceum Baill.
• Sideroxylon dictyoneuron Baill.
Red List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 29/11/2019Protected species -
in Northern Province
Planchonella lauracea is an endemic shrub of New Caledonia, where it is widely distributed across Grande Terre, as well as the Bélep islands. It occurs in dense humid forest or shrubland on ultramafic substrate up to 1,200 m asl. Some subpopulations may be impacted by habitat degradation by mining activities, but globally this species does not seem to be threatened. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are estimated at 15,978 and 416 km², respectively. Therefore, P. lauracea is listed as Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
P. lauracea is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is widely distributed across Grande Terre, from Goro to Tiébaghi, as well as the Bélep Islands.
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
This shrub grows in dense humid forest or shrubland on ultramafic substrate up to 1,200 m asl.
Threats
Although some subpopulations may be impacted by mining activities (Koniambo, Kopéto, Paéoua, Thio, Tiébaghi, Tontouta), this species does not appear to be threatened.
Conservation
P. lauracea is protected by legislation in Province Nord and occurs in numerous protected areas: Nodéla, Forêt de Saille, pic Ningua, Mt. Humboldt, Mt. Mou, Vallée de la Thy, Montagne des Sources, Haute Yaté and Barrage de Yaté natural reserves, as well as the Haute Dumbéa, Rivière Bleue and Côte Oubliée provincial parks.
Bibliography
Aubréville A. 1967. Flore de la Nouvelle Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 01 : Sapotacées.
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].
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Barrault, J., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Munzinger, J., Vandrot, H.
Reviewer(s): Swenson, U.
Facilitator(s): Meyer, S., Warimavute, G., Tanguy, V.