Argophyllum vernicosum is a shrub endemic from New Caledonia. It is restricted to the Grand Sud massif at the south of the Grande Terre, from Prony-Yaté River at the southern limit to the upper limit of the distribution at Thio-Dumbea area. It grows in dense humid forests on ultramafic substrate at an altitude range of 50-1,200 m asl. This species does not seem threatened and seems to prefer degraded areas. It is locally common, seems to be resistant to bushfires and it occurs in several protected areas. With an Extent of Occurrence (EOO) and Area of Occupancy (AOO) equal to 2,055 and 136 km²,respectively, Argophyllum vernicosum is not thought to approach the requirements for listing as threatened. It is listed as Least Concern (LC).

Geographical area

Argophyllum vernicosum is endemic to New Caledonia where it is restricted to the Grand Sud massif at the south of the Grande Terre, from Prony-Yaté River at the southern limit to the upper limit of the distribution at Thio-Dumbea area.

Population

The population size is not known. Field prospections indicate that the species is very common and seems to be fire resisting.

Habitat

Argophyllum vernicosum grows in dense humid forests on ultramafic substrate at an altitude range of 50-1,200 m asl.

Threats

This species does not seem threatened and seems to prefer degraded areas. It is locally common, seems to be resistant to bushfires.

Conservation

Argophyllum vernicosum is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does occur in several protected areas: Pic du Pin, Montagne des sources, Mont Humboldt, Côte Oubliée, Forêt de Saille, Haute Dumbéa, Rivière bleue, Vallée de la Thy, la Dumbéa.

Bibliography

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

Pillon, Y.; Hequet, V. 2021. A New Species of Argophyllum (Argophyllaceae) with Notes on the Species from New Caledonia and Nickel Hyperaccumulation. Plants(10 (4)) , p.701.

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].

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.

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Garnier, D., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., McCoy, S., Vandrot, H., Pillon, Y.

Reviewer(s): Fourdrain, A.

Facilitator(s): Meyer, S., Warimavute, G.