Tuesday 18 June
New Caledonia retrophyllum (Retrophyllum minus)
New Caledonia retrophyllum fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
- Print factsheet
New Caledonia retrophyllum description
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Coniferopsida |
| Order | Coniferales |
| Family | Podocarpaceae |
| Genus | Retrophyllum (1) |
This relatively small conifer is found in and around water. The convoluted trunk is dark in colour and heavily fissured, and the small leaves are green. Seeds are borne singly, hanging from the twig and surrounded by a rounded, fleshy seed coat, rather than in cones (3).
- Also known as
- New Caledonia retrophyllum.
- Synonyms
- Decussocarpus minor.
- Endemic
- A species or taxonomic group that is only found in one particular country or geographic area.
-
IUCN Red List (March, 2003)
http://www.redlist.org - Farjon, A. (March, 2003) Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Pers. comm.
- Farjon, A. & Page, C. (1999) Conifers: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Conifer Specialist Group.
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New Caledonia retrophyllum biology
Very little is known about the biology of this tree but presumably, as with the other members of the podocarp family, animals attracted to the fleshy outer covering disperse the seeds. Germination occurs in wet mud and a strong taproot is rapidly grown to anchor the young plant to the soil; so that periodic floods will not sweep it away (3). These trees are probably finely tuned to the seasonal fluctuations of water in the streams and lakes of their natural habitat. Cultivation has so far only succeeded from cuttings (3).
TopNew Caledonia retrophyllum range
Retrophyllum minus is endemic to the small South Pacific island of New Caledonia (1). Today the species has an extremely restricted range being found only on the Plaine des Lacs (1).
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Species with a similar range
New Caledonia retrophyllum habitat
Inhabits riverbanks and lakeshores; Retrophyllum minus is known as a 'rheophyte' because of this association (1).
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Species found in a similar habitat
New Caledonia retrophyllum status
Classified as Endangered (EN - C1+2a) on the IUCN Red List 2002 (1).
TopNew Caledonia retrophyllum threats
This species has suffered from habitat loss on the island of New Caledonia, for mining extraction and recreational activities (1). In the dry season, bush fires threaten the small remaining population (2). Changes in the water regimes of the small rivers in the area (there is already a large dam project realised) are likely to be detrimental to the survival of this unusual tree (3).
TopNew Caledonia retrophyllum conservation
Retrophyllum minus receives nominal protection within the Chûtes de la Madeline Reserve (2).
TopAuthentication
Authenticated (20/3/03) by Dr Aljos Farjon, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
http://www.rbgkew.org.uk
Glossary
References
More »Related species
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Image credit
New Caledonia retrophyllum habitat
© Dr Aljos Farjon
Dr Aljos Farjon
Taxonomist of Gymnosperms
Chair, IUCN Conifer Specialist Group
Honorary Research Associate
Herbarium, Library, Art & Archives
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Richmond, Surrey
TW9 3AB
United Kingdom
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