Taxonomy
Dendrophyllanthus serpentinus
Synonyms
Phyllanthus serpentinus S.MooreRed List Status -
Least Concern (LC) , assessed in 25/06/2020
Description
Phyllanthus serpentinus is a shrub of 0.5-2 m high, endemic of New Caledonia and distributed in the north west of Grande Terre, from Boulinda to Poum. This species occurs in shrubland or undergrowth forests on ultramafic substrates up to 900 m asl. This species is common in undergrowth forests. With an extent of occurrence (EOO) equal to 2,628 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 92 km², Phyllanthus serpentinus does not seem threatened and is assessed as Least Concern (LC).
Geographical area
Phyllanthus serpentinus is endemic to New Caledonia where it is distributed in the north west of Grande Terre, from Boulinda to Poum.
Population
Population size in not known but field observations indicate a species common in undergrowth forests.
Habitat
Phyllanthus serpentinus occurs in shrubland or undergrowth forests on ultramafic substrates up to 900 m asl.
Threats
Phyllanthus serpentinus is common and it is does not seem to be threathened although some subpopulations are potentially impacted by mining activities at Tiébaghi and Kopeto and by bushfires.
Conservation
Phyllanthus genus is protected by legislation in Province Nord. Phyllanthus serpentinus does not occur in any protected area.
Bibliography
Endemia.nc 2016. Faune et Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie.
McPherson, G.; Schmid, M. 1991. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 17 : Euphorbiaceae II Phyllanthaceae.
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., Lagrange, A., Veillon, J., Garnier, D., Dumontet, V., Goxe, J., McCoy, S., Gâteblé, G.
Reviewer(s): Warimavute, G.
Facilitator(s): Warimavute, G., Meyer, S., Vandrot, H.