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Type: Correspondence
Published: 2016-10-07
Page range: 176–180
Abstract views: 28
PDF downloaded: 27

Pycnandra longiflora (Sapotaceae) a species believed to be extinct, rediscovered in New Caledonia

IRD, UMR AMAP, Laboratoire de Botanique et d’Écologie végétale appliquées, Herbier NOU, F-98848 Nouméa (Nouvelle-Calédonie) et IRD, UMR AMAP, F-34000 Montpellier (France)
Department of Botany, Swedish Museum of Natural History, PO Box 50007, 104 05 Stockholm (Sweden).
Extinct species rediscovering extended description prospection Eudicots

Abstract

Pycnandra longiflora (Sapotaceae) belongs to the largest endemic genus in New Caledonia. It is only known from the type collection made in 1861–67 at the obscure locality “Gatope”. Relocation of this species has been of high priority for more than a decade, but without success. Pycnandra longiflora was therefore recently declared extinct. However, a population was recently discovered near a mining site at Onajiele, in the Ouazangou-Taom massif, and it is revealed that P. longiflora has the most spectacular flowers in the entire genus, being large and bicoloured in red and yellow. A thorough description is here outlined and we propose a preliminary IUCN status as Critically Endangered.