Phyllanthus tireliae is a shrub or small tree of 1-4 m high, endemic of New Caledonia. This species is only known from 2 subpopulations at Boulinda massif (west of Boulinda and Boulinda from Nétéa) in the north west of Grande Terre. It occurs in maquis and in undergrowth forests on ultramafic substrates between 250 and 850 m asl. Its area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are estimated to be 28 and 29 km², respectively. Although it could be affected by habitat degradation by bushfires and future mining activities, this species is locally abundant and it does not seem significantly threatened at the moment. Because of the potential threat from invasives, which could quickly impact the species, Phyllanthus tireliae is listed as Near Threatened (NT) close to Vulnerable under criterion D2.

Geographical area

Phyllanthus tireliae is endemic of New Caledonia, only known from 2 subpopulations at Boulinda massif (west of Boulinda massif and Boulinda from Nétéa) in the north west of Grande Terre.

Population

Population size in unknown but field observations indicate a species locally abundant.

Habitat

Phyllanthus tireliae occurs in maquis and in undergrowth forests on ultramafic substrates between 250 and 850 m asl.

Threats

Although it could be affected by habitat degradation by bushfires and future mining activitires, this species does not seem significantly threatened at the moment.

Conservation

Phyllanthus genus is protected by legislation in Province Nord. Phyllanthus tireliae does not occur in any protected area.

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].

McPherson, G.; Schmid, M. 1991. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 17 : Euphorbiaceae II Phyllanthaceae.

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

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., Vandrot, H., Meyer, S.