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> RBG Melbourne > Garden Features > New Caledonia
 

New Caledonia Collection

The flora of New Caledonia is renowned for it's endemism and antiquity. The unique make-up of it's soils make New Caledonia a place of special interest for Botanists and Horticulturalists.

New Caledonian soils have a very high mineral content. Because of this New Caledonia has been mined extensively. As a result, much of it's native flora is under threat. The flora of New Caledonia has adapted to the high mineral content in the soils over the years. This has contributed to the high levels of endemic flora in New Caledonia. 

Australia and New Caledonia share many of the same genera of plants. These include Melaleuca, Grevillea and Araucaria.  New Caledonia holds half of the worlds species of Araucaria. There are seven species of Araucaria in the collection. Another four are situated around the gardens.

 

Key Plants
Curator Notes
History  


Key Plants

Carpolepis laurifolia

Produces striking yellow flowers from late February to early March

Araucaria columnaris 

Adopted as the symbol of New Caledonia

Nothofagus codonandra

The New Caledonian version of the southern beech

Astelia neo-caledonica

Variegated leaves tapering to point and flower spikes(racemes) make this an attractive plant

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Curator Notes

  1. See the different forms of Araucaria on display in the collection
  2. Your chance to see plants that are otherwise not available in this country. 

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History 


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Image


Best Viewed


Late February/ early March.
This is when Carpolepis laurifolia is in flower.

Location


New Caledonia Collection

Birdwood Avenue near E gate
Visitor Map 

Grow

 

New Caledonian plants aren't available in nurseries. It is very difficult to access plant material  from New Caledonia.

 

Plant Census


Find out what plants grow at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne

 

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Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne incorporates the National Herbarium of Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne and the Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology.