Retrophyllum minus, the bois bouchon, is a species of conifer in the family Podocarpaceae. It is endemic to New Caledonia.[1]

Retrophyllum minus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnospermae
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Araucariales
Family: Podocarpaceae
Genus: Retrophyllum
Species:
R. minus
Binomial name
Retrophyllum minus
(Carrière) C.N.Page
Retrophyllum minus is native to New Caledonia[2]
Synonyms[2]
  • Decussocarpus minus (Carrière) de Laub.
  • Nageia minor Carrière
  • Podocarpus minus (Carrière) Parl.
  • Podocarpus palustris J.Buchholz

Description

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It is a sparsely branched small tree with a flared trunk which tapers towards the top and has rough bark.[3] It produces pear-shaped fruits that are dark-red when mature.[3]

Habitat

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Retrophyllum minus in its natural habitat

The species occurs near rivers and lakes of the Plaine des Lakes in the south of Grande Terre.[3] It is a rheophyte (grows in running water), the only such conifer known.[4]

Conservation

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It is threatened by habitat loss to mining and wildfire.[1] It is a protected species.[5]

References

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Juvenile foliage.
  1. ^ a b c Thomas, P. (2010). "Retrophyllum minus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T34108A9837487. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-3.RLTS.T34108A9837487.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Retrophyllum minus (Carrière) C.N.Page". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Retrophyllum minor (Espece)". endemia.nc - Faune & Flore de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Retrieved 26 March 2011.
  4. ^ "Dendrology Shorts: Retrophyllum minus". Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  5. ^ Inventaire National du Patrimoine Naturel. (n.d.). Retrophyllum minus (Carrière) C.N.Page, 1989. Retrieved July 17, 2023, from https://inpn.mnhn.fr/espece/cd_nom/673714?lg=en