Lagenophora sinuosa is an endemic herb of New Caledonia. It is widely distributed in the mainland Grande Terre, from Cap N'Doua (far south) to Kaala Gomen as the northernmost locality. This species is probably not well enough collected and may have a wider range of distribution than the actual one. Indeed, it is often neglected by collectors, it is may be considered as an inconspicuous herb and as an “exotic” or weedy species (Lannuzel et al., 2021). It occurs in humid forests and open scrublands (maquis minier) up to 1,000 m asl. It mainly grows on serpentine substates although it has been recorded on peridotitic derived soils at higher altitude and on vertisols at low altitudes (Lannuzel et al., 2021). The population size is not known. However field observations indicate a species locally abundant. Some subpopulations, mainly at low to medium altitudes, may be threatened by Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis), by grazing and by trampling, as well as bushfires for open maquis subpoulations. But these threats do not contribute to the decline of the population. Therefore, with an Extent of Occurrence (EOO) of 7,537 km² and an Area of ocupancy (AOO) 84 km², L. sinuosa does not meet the requirements for a threatened species and is assessed as Least Concern (LC).

Geographical area

Lagenophora sinuosa is an endemic to New Caledonia where it is widely distributed in the mainland Grande Terre, from Cap N'Doua (far south) to Kaala Gomen as the northernmost locality. This species is probably not well enough collected and may have a wider range of distribution than the actual distribution. Indeed, it is often neglected by collectors, it is may be considered as an inconspicuous herb and as an “exotic” or weedy species (Lannuzel et al., 2021).

Population

The population size is not known. However field observations indicate a species locally abundant.

Habitat

This species occurs in humid forests and open scrublands (maquis minier) up to 1,000 m asl. It mainly grows on serpentine substates although it has been recorded on peridotitic derived soils at higher altitude and on vertisols at low altitudes (Lannuzel et al., 2021).

Threats

Some subpopulations, mainly at low to medium altitudes, may be threatened by Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis), by grazing and by trampling, as well as bushfires for open maquis subpopulations. But these threats do not contribute to the decline of the population.

Conservation

Lagenophora sinuosa is not protected by legislation in New caledonia and it does not occur in any protected area. It is moreover suggested to promote its growing in nurseries, to integrate it in future green space planning and to raise awareness on this species amongst local stakeholders.

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].

Lannuzel G, Gâteblé G, Bean AR, Wang J. 2021. Lagenophora (Asteraceae, Astereae) in New Caledonia.. PhytoKeys(177) , p.125-138.

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.

Nesom GL 2001. Taxonomic notes on Keysseria and Pytinicarpa (Asteraceae: Asterae, Lageniferinae).. SIDA, contributions to botany(19) , p.513-518.

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

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Fleurot, D., Garnier, D., Héquet, V., Lagrange, A., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., McCoy, S., Vandrot, H.

Reviewer(s): Pillon, Y.

Facilitator(s): Fourdrain, A., Warimavute, G.