Taxonomy
Codiaeum peltatum
Common name :
Moua-boulou ; Croton ; Cee hulo (Nemi Est)
Synonyms
Codiaeum inophyllum sensu Steud. • Synaspisma peltatum (Labill.) Endl.
Crozophora peltata Labill.
Red List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 05/04/2018
Codiaeum peltatum is an endemic shrub or tree of New Caledonia largely distributed in Grande Terre as well as in Belep islands, Ile des Pins and Loyalty Islands (Maré, Lifou). It is found in humid forest and degraded forest on various substrate, up to 650 m asl. With an extent of occurrence (EOO) equal to 58,284 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 360 km², C. peltatum is assessed as Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
C. peltatum is endemic to New Caledonia where it is largely distributed in Grande Terre as well as in Belep islands, Ile des Pins and Loyalty Islands (Maré, Lifou).
Population
Population size is unknown but field observations show it is a common species.
Habitat
C. peltatum occurs in humid forest and degraded forest on various substrates(ultramafic, calcareous and volcano-sedimentary), up to 650 m asl.
Threats
Despite being sensitive to vegetation degradation linked to bushfires and invasive species (feral pigs (Sus scrofa) and Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis), this species does not seem directly threatened thanks to wide distribution in the area.
Conservation
C. peltatum is not protected by any legislation in New Caledonia, but it occurs in several protected areas: Ouen Toro, Parc des Grandes Fougères, Aoupinié and Mont Mou.
Bibliography
McPherson G.D & Tirel C. 1987. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 14: Euphorbiaceae I.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Munzinger J., Morat Ph., Jaffré T., Gâteblé G., Pillon Y., Tronchet F., Veillon J.-M. and M. Chalopin 2016. FLORICAL: Checklist of the vascular indigenous flora of New Caledonia. vers. 22.IV.2016.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Chambrey, C., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Gâteblé, G., Goxe, J., Hequet, V., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Lannuzel, G.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Meyer, S., Barrabé, L.