Alyxia rosmarinifolia is an endemic shrub from New Caledonia, where it is only known from Mont Do reserve in the south east of Grande Terre. It is found in shrubland on serpentine substrate at an altitude of 600-1,000 m asl. Its area of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) are both 4 km², while the species is known from a single location. The main identified threats are uncontrolled bushfires and potentially future mining activities (presence of a mining concession near the reserve) that allow us to project a continuous decline in the quality of habitat and number of mature individuals. Using criteria B, Alyxia rosmarinifolia is considered Critically Endangered (CR) B1ab (iii,v)+2ab(iii,v).

Geographical area

Alyxia rosmarinifolia is endemic to New Caledonia, where it is only known from Mont Do reserve in the south east of Grande Terre.

Population

Population size is not known.

Habitat

This shrub occurs in shrubland on serpentine substrate at an altitude of 600-1,000 m asl.

Threats

The main identified threats are uncontrolled bushfires and potentially future mining activities (presence of a mining concession near the reserve).

Conservation

Alyxia rosmarinifolia is unprotected by legislation in New Caledonia but it occurs in one protected area : Mont Do. This species would benefit from ex-situ and in-situ emergency conservation actions. To ensure the persistence of the known population, it is proposed that monitoring should occur, as well as information of the DSCGR (government department overseeing firefighting actions) on the presence of the species in the concerned areas. Finally, surveys at Mont Do and collections are recommended to improve the knowledge on this poorly known species.

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 et al. 2024. Alyxia Banks ex R.Br. in New Caledonia: a clarification of several species complexes, nomenclatural notes, and a description of three new species. Phytotaxa(649 (1)) , p.1-43.

Boiteau Pierre avec collaboration de Lucie Allorge 1982. Flore de la Nouvelle Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 10 : Apocynacées.

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

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.

Experts

Assessor(s): Amice, R., Bruy, D., Cazé, H., Eltabet, N., Garnier, D., Fleurot, D., Lannuzel, G., Laudereau, C., Vandrot, H.

Reviewer(s): Meyer, S.

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