Taxonomy
Dendrobium closterium
Synonyms
Dendrobium jocosum Rchb.f. • Dendrobium eleutheroglossum Schltr.
Dendrobium myrticola Kraenzl.
Red List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 26/10/2015Protected species -
in Northern Province
Dendrobium closterium is an endemic orchid of New Caledonia widespread from the north to the south of Grande Terre (main island) and on the île de Pins. D. closterium occurs in shrubland, mangrove and also in savanna composed by paperbank tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia). With an area of occupancy and an extent of occurrence equal to 312 and 18,923 km² respectively, D. closterium qualifies as Least Concern.
Geographical area
D. closterium is an endemic orchid of New Caledonia widespread from north to south of Grande Terre (main island) and on the île de Pins.
Population
D. closterium is considered as a common species in New Caledonia.
Habitat
D. closterium occurs in shrubland, mangrove and also in savanna composed by paperbank tree (Melaleuca quinquenervia or niaouli). D closterium is the only orchid to grow on paperbank tree that is why some botanist call it 'orchidée de niaouli'.
Threats
The major threat to D. closterium is definitively bushfire.
Conservation
D. closterium is protected by legislation in Province Nord and Province Sud and occurs in numerous protected areas : réserve de nature sauvage du Mont Panié, Réserve de nature sauvage du massif de l’Aoupinié, réserve naturelle du Mont Humboldt, Parc provincial de la Rivière Bleue, réserve naturelle du Mont Mou, réserve naturelle de la Haute Dumbéa, réserve de nature sauvage du Mont Panié, Parc de la Dumbéa, réserve naturelle du barrage de Yaté. In order to be able to assess the two endemic varieties of D. closterium, it is highly recommended to check and determinate all collections in herbarium P and NOU.
Bibliography
Hallé N.; Aubréville A.; Leroy J. F.; 1977. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 8: Orchidaceae.
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.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Experts
Assessor(s): Butin, J., Laudereau, C., Amice, R., Fleurot, D., Frayssinet, I., Garnier, D., Letocart, D., Letocart, I.
Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.
Contributor(s): Faria, E.
Facilitator(s): Chanfreau, S.