Melanodendron integrifolium
Taxonomy [top]
| Kingdom | Phylum | Class | Order | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLANTAE | TRACHEOPHYTA | MAGNOLIOPSIDA | ASTERALES | COMPOSITAE |
| Scientific Name: | Melanodendron integrifolium | |||
| Species Authority: | (Roxb.) DC. | |||
Common Name/s:
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| Taxonomic Notes: | Molecular phylogenetic studies (Eastwood, Gibby and Cronk 2002) show a close relationship between Melanodendron and Commidendrum consistent with the hypothesis that the two genera originated from a common ancestor via a single dispersal event. This close relationship is further supported by shared wood anatomy (Carlquist 2001). The first major ecological shift in the evolution of arborescent Asteraceae on St Helena would have occurred in the divergence of Commdendrum (dryer) and Melanodendrom (wetter) from a common ancestor. Melanodendron integrifolium is confined to the wettest and coolest habitats on St Helena, and has characteristic features of a species adapted to wet sub-tropical conditions (Carlquist 2001). | |||
Assessment Information [top]
| Red List Category & Criteria: | Vulnerable D2 ver 3.1 | |||
| Year Published: | 2003 | |||
| Assessor/s: | Cairns-Wicks, R. | |||
| Reviewer/s: | Cronk, Q. & Clubbe, C. (South Atlantic Island Plants Red List Authority) | |||
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Justification: In 1995 the subpopulation within the area designated as Diana’s Peak National Park was estimated at about 780. Fragmented and very small subpopulations also survive at High Peak and a few locations across the ridges and outside of the National Park. Since then consistent alien plant species control has been carried out as well as the restocking of the endemic trees including Melanodendron, these actions are part of the management plan for Diana’s Peak National Park. Between 1996 and 2000 at least 1,800 seedlings and cuttings were planted. Due to short seed viability and difficulty in producing nursery reared plants, most of the seedlings had regenerated naturally and were transplanted to different sites. Survival rates are not known but considered to be good. None of those individuals planted back into the National Park have yet reached maturity. Melanodendron integrifolium is dependent upon the maintenance of consistent alien plant control and conservation management. |
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| History: |
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Geographic Range [top]
| Range Description: | The most abundant of the cabbage trees, found on the central ridge between 580 – 820 m, usually common above 700 m. Patchy distribution across the Peaks within Diana’s Peak National Park and at High Peak. |
| Countries: |
Native:
Saint Helena
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| Range Map: | Click here to open the map viewer and explore range. |
Population [top]
| Population Trend: |
Increasing
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Habitat and Ecology [top]
| Habitat and Ecology: | A tree, characteristic of damp flushes on the mountain slopes. Often observed to germinate on the tree-fern trunks, rooting into the soil when the tree-fern falls. |
| Systems: | Terrestrial |
Threats [top]
| Major Threat(s): | Threats to this species arise from it's small area of occupancy and vulnerability to competition from Phormium tenax. |
Conservation Actions [top]
| Conservation Actions: | Protected under the Endangered Endemic and Indigenous Species Protection Ordinance No 7 of 1996. Also protected within the Diana’s Peak National Park which is has been managed under a management plan since 1996 (Smith and Williams 1996). Although its still lacks specific legislation the 1998/1999 revision of the SLUP (1993) provides for the protection of the National Park. |
Bibliography [top]
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Cronk, Q.C.B. 2000. The Endemic Flora of St. Helena. Anthony Nelson Publishers, Oswestry, UK. Holland, M., Cronk, Q., MacDonald, D. and Holland, M. 1986. The Endemic Flora of St. Helena. The Government of St. Helena, St Helena. IUCN. 2003. 2003 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 18 November 2003. IUCN. 2003. 2003 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. www.iucnredlist.org. Downloaded on 18 November 2003. Oldfield, S., Lusty, C. and MacKinven, A. (compilers). 1998. The World List of Threatened Trees. World Conservation Press, Cambridge, UK. Seal, U.S., Maunder, M., Pearce-Kelly, P., Mace, G. and Clark, D. 1993. Conservation assessment and management plan. St. Helena Island. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Smith, D. and Williams, N. 1996. Diana’s Peak National Park of St Helena: The Management Plan for 1996–2001. Agriculture and Forestry Department, St Helena. |
| Citation: | Cairns-Wicks, R. 2003. Melanodendron integrifolium. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 25 May 2012. |
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