Oxera pancheri is a ramified shrub or subshrub endemic to New Caledonia and restricted to the southern part of Grande Terre. This species was also seen at Rivière Bleue but recent prospection did not manage to relocate this species. It is found in scrubland or forest undergrowth, on soils derived from ultramafic substrate from 5 to 300 m asl. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are 56 km² and 1,250 km², respectively, and it is known from five locations. Population size is unknown but some sub-populations have nearly disappeared (N'Go and col de Mô), probably due to recurrent fires and ongoing mining activities. Therefore, with a continuous declines in population size, number of locations, Area of Occupancy (AOO) and habitat quality, O. pancheri is listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v).

Geographical area

O. pancheri is endemic to New Caledonia and restricted to the southern part of Grande Terre.

Population

Population size is unknown. But according to local experts, it has significantly decreased, to the point where it has become rare in some areas (N'Go, col de Mô).

Habitat

O. pancheri occurs in scrubland or forest undergrowth, on soils derived from ultramafic substrate from 5 to 300 m asl.

Threats

The main threats are recurrent fires (île Ouen, Mont-Dore, N'Go) and ongoing mining activities at Ada (MKM) and N'Go (MKM and NMC).

Conservation

This species is not protected by any legislation in New Caledonia, although it occurs in one protected area: Parc de la Rivière Bleue. This species is cultivated at the IAC (Institut Agronomique de Nouvelle-Calédonie) nursery of Saint-Louis with only a few number of individuals. Therefore in situ emergency conservation actions (monitor known populations and to preserve a viable one in delimited sites, where invasive species are under control) should be needed to better protect this species. 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. Moreover, it is suggested to promote its growing in nurseries and use in green space planning and to raise awareness on this species amongst local stakeholders. Prospection is also recommended at Parc de la Rivière Bleue.

Bibliography

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.

Gâteblé, G. 2016. Flore ornementale de Nouvelle-Calédonie.

Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.

Mabberley DJ, de Kok RPJ. 2004. Labiatae. In: Morat P,ed. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendance.

Barrabé L, Karnadi-Abdelkader,G, Ounemoa,J,de Kok RPJ., Robert N, Gâteble,G. 2015. Recircumscription of Oxera (Lamiaceae: Ajugoideae) ta include Faradaya based on molecular and anatomical data. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society(179) , p.693-711.

Gâteblé G. and Munzinger J. 2011. Réhabilitation d'Oxera pancheri Dubard (Lamiaceae), espèce menacée de la Nouvelle-Calédonie. Adansonia(34 (2)) , p.377-388.

Experts

Assessor(s): Gâteblé, G., Barrabé, L., Fleurot, D., Amice, R., Cazé, H., Bruy, D., Héquet, V., Vandrot, H., Butin, J., Mandaoué, L., Haverkamp, C., Dumontet, V., Laudereau, C.

Reviewer(s): Meyer, S.

Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Tanguy, V.