Taxonomy
Synonyms
Marsdenia assimulata S.MooreRed List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 24/10/2019
Leichhardtia assimulata is an endemic small shrub from New Caledonia distributed on the southern half of Grande Terre. This species is common and it occurs in open shrubland as well as in low forest fragments. Its altitudinal range is from 50 to 1,100 m asl. Despite having an Area of Occupancy (AOO) and an Extent of Occurrence (EOO) equal to 160 and 5,320 km², Leichhardtia assimulata has no apparent threat and is not thought to approach the requirements for listing as threatened. It is listed as Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
Leichhardtia assimulata is endemic to New Caledonia and its distribution is limited in the southern half of Grande Terre.
Population
Population size is unknown but based on field observations it is a common species.
Habitat
Leichhardtia assimulata occurs in open shrubland as well as in low forest fragments. Its altitudinal range is from 50 to 1,100 m asl.
Threats
This species does not seem to be threatened although some subpopulations may be threatened by bushfires (Mont-Dore, La Coulée, Comboui, Bogota…) and mining activities (Kouaoua-Poro, Tontouta, N’Go and Goro).
Conservation
Leichhardtia assimulata is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does occur in 6 protected areas : Chutes de la Madeleine, Rivière bleue, la Dumbéa, Vallée de la Thy, Haute Dumbéa, Barrage de Yaté.
Bibliography
Boiteau Pierre avec collaboration de Lucie Allorge 1982. Flore de la Nouvelle Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 10 : Apocynacées.
LIEDE-SCHUMANN S., MEVE U., GÂTEBLÉ G., BARRIERA G. & FICI S. 2020. Apocynaceae p.p., Phellinaceae, Capparaceae : Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie.
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): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Butin, J., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Héquet, V., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., Mandaoué, L., Vandrot, H., Pillon, Y.
Reviewer(s): Veillon, J.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Gâteblé, G., Meyer, S.