Taxonomy
Planchonella laetevirens
Synonyms
Pouteria laetevirens (Baill.) Baehni • Lucuma laetevirens Baill.Red List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 29/11/2019Protected species -
in Northern Province
Planchonella laetevirens is an endemic shrub or small tree of New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the south of Grande Terre. It occurs in dense humid forest or shrubland on ultramafic substrate up to 1,100 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 1,552 and 176 km², respectively. Therefore, P. laetevirens is listed as Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
P. laetevirens is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the southern ultramafic massif of Grande Terre, from Goro to Thio.
Population
Population size is unknown, but field observations indicate that this species is common.
Habitat
This tree grows in dense humid forest and sometimes shrubland on ultramafic substrate up to 1,100 m asl.
Threats
Although some subpopulations may be impacted by mining activities (Goro, Ouinné), this species does not appear to be threatened.
Conservation
P. laetevirens is protected by legislation in Province Nord and occurs in numerous protected areas: Massif du Kouakoué, Haute Dumbéa, Montagne des Sources, Forêt Cachée, Haute Yaté, Fausse Yaté, Barrage de Yaté, Chutes de la Madeleine, Pic du Pin and Pic du Grand Kaori natural reserves, as well as the Dumbéa, Rivière Bleue and Côte Oubliée provincial parks.
Bibliography
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.
Aubréville A. 1967. Flore de la Nouvelle Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 01 : Sapotacées.
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): Tanguy, V., Warimavute, G., Meyer, S.