Retrophyllum minus

Retrophyllum minus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnosperms
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
Synonyms
  • Decussocarpus minus (Carrière) de Laub.
  • Nageia minor Carrière
  • Podocarpus minus (Carrière) Parl.
  • Podocarpus palustris J.Buchholz

Retrophyllum minus, the bois bouchon, is a species of conifer in the family Podocarpaceae. It is a shrub or small tree endemic to New Caledonia.

Description

Juvenile foliage.

It is a sparsely branched small tree rarely exceeding 3 metres (10 ft) in height with a flared trunk, reminiscent of Taxodium distichum and Nyssa aquatica, which tapers towards the top and has rough bark. It produces pear-shaped berry-like cones that are dark red when mature.

Habitat

Retrophyllum minus in its natural habitat

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

Conservation

The species is threatened by habitat loss to mining and wildfire, and the IUCN Red List assesses it as Endangered. It is a protected species.

References

  1. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 "Retrophyllum minus (Carrière) C.N.Page". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  3. ↑ Hogan, Sean (2004). Flora - The Gardener's Bible. Willoughby, New South Wales: Global Book Publishing. p. 912 with photo. ISBN 1-74048-097-X.
  4. 1 2 3 "Retrophyllum minus (Carrière) C.N.Page". endemia.nc (in French). Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  5. ↑ "Dendrology Shorts: Retrophyllum minus". 10 March 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  6. ↑ "Retrophyllum minus (Carrière) C.N.Page, 1989". Inventaire National du Patrimoine Naturel. Archived from the original on 21 January 2025. Retrieved 17 July 2023.