Oxanthera aurantium
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Oxanthera aurantium faces significant pressure from habitat degradation in New Caledonia's unique ultramafic ecosystems. Mining activities for nickel extraction pose the most severe threat to remaining populations, as the species is restricted to serpentine soils that contain valuable mineral deposits. Invasive plant species further compromise habitat quality by altering soil chemistry and competing for resources in these specialized environments.
Habitat
This endemic New Caledonian shrub is restricted to ultramafic soils derived from serpentine rock formations, typically found in maquis shrubland vegetation. It occurs at elevations between 200-800 meters in areas with high concentrations of heavy metals that few other plant species can tolerate.