''Planchonella reticulata'' is a flowering plant in the sapodilla family, Sapotaceae. It is a shrub or tree endemic to east-central

New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Location of New Caledonia , map_caption = Location of New Caledonia , mapsize = 290px , subdivision_type = Sovereign st ...

. The

specific epithet In taxonomy, binomial nomenclature ("two-term naming system"), also called nomenclature ("two-name naming system") or binary nomenclature, is a formal system of naming species of living things by giving each a name composed of two parts, bot ...

refers to the reticulate venation (network-like pattern of the veins) on the leaves.

Description

It is a small tree growing to 6 m, occasionally 10 m, in height, with a watery, white latex. The alternate, oval

leaves A leaf (plural, : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant plant stem, stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", wh ...

are usually 40–80 mm long and 20–40 mm wide. The inconspicuous green flowers, 8 mm long, appear from May to July. The pointed, egg-shaped fruits are 13 mm long.

Distribution and habitat

The species is endemic to the French territory of

in the south-west Pacific Ocean. It has a scattered distribution on the central ultramafic massif and along the east coast of Grand Terre, from Goro to Tontouta and from Canala to Poro, and on the Isle of Pines. It grows in shrubland (maquis) or dense humid forest over ultramafic rock from 5 to 960 metres elevation. Some authorities list the species as native to Lord Howe Island. The Lord Howe population is now classed as ''Planchonella myrsinifolia'' subsp. ''howeana''.''Planchonella myrsinifolia'' subsp. ''howeana'' (F.Muell.) Jessup
New South Wales Flora Online. Retrieved 9 June 2023.

References

reticulata Endemic flora of New Caledonia Plants described in 1890 Taxa named by Henri Ernest Baillon {{Sapotaceae-stub