Ventilago tinctoria is a woody climber species of at least 10 m long, endemic of New Caledonia. This newly described species is restricted to the south west of Grande Terre with an observation at Thio and Houaïlou-Ponérihouen and it is also present at Ile des Pins. It occurs in shrubland (maquis) and forest mostly on ultramafic substrate at an altitude range of 10 and 200 m asl. This species sometimes occurs on volcano-sedimentary substrate. It is known from seven localities and its extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are 4,517 and 32 km², respectively. The main threat is posed by bushfires and urbanisation causing habitat degradation. Therefore Ventilago tinctoria is listed as Vulnerable (VU) under criteria B1ab(iii,v)+B2ab(iii,v) with a decline of the quality of habitat and of number of mature individuals.

Geographical area

Ventilago tinctoria is endemic to New Caledonia where it is restricted to the south west of Grande Terre with an observation at Thio and Houaïlou-Ponérihouen. The species is also present at Ile des Pins.

Population

Population size is unknown.

Habitat

Ventilago tinctoria occurs in scrubland (maquis) and forest on ultramafic substrate at an altitude range of 10 and 200 m asl. This species sometimes occurs on volcano-sedimentary substrates.

Threats

The main threat is posed by bushfires and urbanisation causing habitat degradation.

Conservation

Ventilago tinctoria is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does not occur in any protected area. This species should be included in Province Nord and Province Sud legislation for a better protection of the species. It is recommended to inform the DSCGR (emergency services), responsible for the coordination of the firefighting effort, on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. It is recommendend to realise field surveys on known locations and collect further herbarium specimens and better estimate its population size and its status.

Bibliography

Cahen, Daniel, Toussirot, Marine, and Pillon, Yohan 2020. A revision of Ventilago (Rhamnaceae) in New Caledonia and Vanuatu with notes on dyeing properties and Vanuatu with notes on dyeing properties. Willdenowia(50(2)) , p.253-266.

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

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].

Experts

Assessor(s): Bruy, D., Butin, J., Dumontet, V., Fleurot, D., Héquet, V., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Vandrot, H.

Reviewer(s): Cazé, H.

Contributor(s): Pillon, Y., Cahen, D.

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