Herbarium scan of the type, barcode NOU080483 [Pl@ntNet, accessed 2023.01.21].
Podocarpus vanuatuensis
None have been reported. A very similar small tree, Podocarpus orarius, also grows at low elevations in Vanuatu, and likely bears the same common names.
Type: Vanuatu, Talea, Erromanga, 1970, M. Schmid 3143 (holo, P; iso HNT, NOU; link is to specimen at NOU).
This is one of several new taxa very briefly described by de Laubenfels (2015) and, thus far, not evaluated by any other authorities. It is endemic to Vanuatu, which is also home to Podocarpus neriifolius (sensu lato) and P. insularis, and (suspected to be in Vanuatu) P. orarius. Most of the specimens cited by de Laubenfels (2015) had been previously identified as P. neriifolius. See Podocarpus neriifolius for taxonomic notes on the 17 species in the P. neriifolius complex, which includes P. vanuatuensis.
Rainforest trees to at least 8 m tall. Foliage buds 3 × 3 mm with erect, triangular scales 5 mm long. Leaves on 3 mm petioles, linear with narrowly acute apices, upper (adaxial) leaf midribs raised, 0.5 mm wide. Juvenile and shade leaves to 150 × 16 mm; sun leaves 50-100 × 8-10 mm. Pollen cones in groups of 3 on 5 mm peduncles; mature pollen cones unknown. Seed cones on 5 mm peduncles, subtended by 2 foliola 2 mm long; receptacles 7 mm long, seeds within epimatium globose, 6 mm diameter (de Laubenfels 2015).
"The leaves in Podocarpus vanuatuensis are similar in size to those of P. pallidus, P. insularis, and P. neglectus. Compared to the first, the leaves of P. vanuatuensis are narrowly acute, not broadly acute, and to the latter two, the leaves narrow more abruptly at both the apex and the base. Compared to all three, P. vanuatuensis has clustered pollen cones on distinct peduncles rather than sessile cones. It resembles nearby island endemics P. colliculatus [= P. sylvestris] on the Isle of Pines (New Caledonia) and P. pallidus in the Tonga Islands, all as small trees on small remote islands" (de Laubenfels 2015).
Vanuatu: Aneityum and Erromanga, "at low elevations" (de Laubenfels 2015). So little is known about this species that it is not possible to speculate on its conservation status.
No data as of 2023.01.21.
No recorded uses as of 2023.01.21.
See the collection locales referred to by de Laubenfels (2015).
The epithet means simply "of Vanuatu".
Laubenfels, David J. de. 2015. New sections and species of Podocarpus based on the taxonomic status of P. neriifolius (Podocarpaceae) in tropical Asia. Novon 24(2):133-152. https://doi.org/10.3417/2012091.
Last Modified 2023-02-26
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