Leichhardtia speciosa is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia where it has a disparse distribution across the Grande Terre. This species occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate in the north and ultramafic substrate in the south Grande Terre at an altitude range of 480 and 850 m asl. The subpopulations in the central part of Grande Terre (Foa (Farino et Koindé-Canala)) are highly threatened by Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis). The other subpopulations are also impacted by Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis) but to a lesser degree. The species could be more common than the actual observations and herbarium specimen collections since these species are not easy to be observed in dense humide forets. Therefore its Extent of Occurrence (EOO) ranges between to 4,000 km² and 10,000 km² and the Area of Occupancy (AOO) between 40 km² and 100 km² while its number of location is estimated to be nine. Due to the high threats of Rusa timorensis in the central part of Grande Terre, it is more cautious to considered Leichhardtia speciosa as Vulnerable VU B1ab(iii,v)+2ab(iii,v) with a decline of all the concerned subcrit

Geographical area

Leichhardtia speciosa is endemic to New Caledonia where it has a disparse distribution across the Grande Terre.

Population

Population size is unknown.

Habitat

Leichhardtia speciosa occurs in dense humid forest on volcano-sedimentary substrate in the north and on ultramafic substrate in the south Grande Terre, at an altitude range of 480 and 850 m asl.

Threats

The subpopulations in the central part of Grande Terre (Foa (Farino et Koindé-Canala)) are highly threatened by Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis). The other subpopulations are also impacted by Rusa deer but to a lesser degree.

Conservation

Leichhardtia speciosa is not protected by legislation in New Caledonia and it does not occur in 3 protected areas: Rivière bleue, Haute Dumbéa, la Dumbéa. This species should be included in Province Sud and Province Nord 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.

Bibliography

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].

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

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.

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.