Taxonomy
Red List Status -
Near Threatened (NT) , assessed in 26/10/2018
Description
Quintinia sessiliflora is an endemic shrub or tree from New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the south of Grande Terre. It occurs in high elevation dense humid forest on ultramafic substrates from 850 to 1,260 m asl. Some subpopulations may be impacted by bushfires, but globally this species does not seem to be significantly threatened. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are estimated at 241 and 32 km², respectively, and is known from a small number of locations. Therefore, Q. sessiliflora is listed as Near Threatened (NT), close to Vulnerable under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).
Geographical area
This species is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is restricted to the south of Grande Terre: Mts. Koghis, Montagne des Sources, Mts. Kouakoué and Humboldt. It could also be present further north on Mt. Boulinda, but this remains to be confirmed (Pillon & Héquet, 2019).
Population
Population size is unknown.
Habitat
This shrub or tree grows in high elevation dense humid forest on ultramafic substrate from 850 to 1,260 m asl.
Threats
This species might have been impacted by recent fires at Montagne des Sources, but otherwise it does not seem to be threatened.
Conservation
Q. sessiliflora is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia, but it occurs in three protected areas: Mt. Humboldt, Massif du Kouakoué, Montagne des Sources and Vallée de la Thy natural reserves. Prospection on Mt. Boulinda is suggested to confirm the species' presence.
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.
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
Pillon, Y. & Héquet, V. 2019. Two new species of Quintinia (Paracryphiaceae) with notes on the species from New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Phytotaxa(397 (1)) , p.45-54.
Experts
Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Gâteblé, G., Goxe, J., Henry, B., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Mandaoué, L., Pillon, Y., Veillon, J.
Reviewer(s): Vandrot, H.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Meyer, S.