Megastylis rara is an endemic geophyte orchid of New Caledonia, mainly distributed on the southern part of Grande Terre (main island). M. rara occurs in more or less dense shrubland at an altitudinal range 80-1300 m asl. With an area of occupancy and an extent of occurrence equal to 96 and 4,545 km² respectively, M. rara qualifies as Least Concern.

Aire géographique

M. rara is an endemic geophyte orchid of New Caledonia, mainly distributed on the southern part of Grande Terre (main island).

Population

Discreet orchid, population size by station are generally fewer than 10 mature individuals. Despite those field observations, total population size is unknown.

Habitat

M. rara occurs in more or less dense shrubland at an altitudinal range 80-1300 m asl.

Menaces

M. rara is impacted by mining activities in Goro and could be affected by bushfires on other stations. Overall, it does not seem threatened.

Conservation

M. rara is protected by legislation in Province Nord and Province Sud. M. rara occurs in several protected areas : réserve naturelle du massif du Kouakoué, réserve intégrale de la Montagne des Sources, réserve naturelle de la fausse Yaté, réserve naturelle de la forêt de Saille, Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue, réserve naturelle du barrage de Yaté, réserve naturelle de la Haute Dumbéa. In terms of active conservation, a transplantation operation was conducted by Vale company without success : this kind of measure of conservation does not seem well adapted to M. rara. Due to its discreet nature, prospections should be rekindle between Canala and Vulcain area to refine our knowledge on its distribution.

Bibliographie

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.

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

Hallé N.; Aubréville A.; Leroy J. F.; 1977. Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances. Volume 8: Orchidaceae.

Experts

Assessor(s): Butin, J., Laudereau, C., Amice, R., Fleurot, D., Frayssinet, I., Garnier, D., Letocart, D., Letocart, I.

Reviewer(s): Tanguy, V.

Contributor(s): Faria, E.

Facilitator(s): Chanfreau, S.