Résumé
Context: Cerberiopsis candelabra Vieill., a species endemic to New Caledonia, is one of the world’s rare monocarpic trees. Juveniles of this species should exhibit high survival and growth rates, a selective advantage of the monocarpic strategy.Aims: We aimed to (1) quantify the survival and growth rates of C. candelabra juveniles over time and (2) Identify morpho-anatomical markers and temporal growth patterns to infer individual past development.Methods: Over 20 months, we monitored the monthly survival of 134 juveniles in a post-disturbance open forest edge. We recorded phytomer production, internode elongation, height growth and leaf area for each juvenile. At the monitoring end, three individuals were finely morpho-anatomically described node by node.Key results: Juvenile survival rate was 67.1%, with a density of over 7.83 individuals per square meter. Monthly mortality rates were higher during the warm-dry transitional season. Juveniles exhibited primary growth rates of up to 6.4 cm per month during the warm-wet season. Primary growth was continuous and secondary growth was seasonal, with visible growth ring boundaries forming during each cool-dry season.Conclusions: High seedling survival and growth rates could explain the ecological dominance of the species in large gaps. Development in C. candelabra is sensitive to New Caledonia’s climate seasonality.Implications: Analysis of annual growth patterns allows for inferring individuals’ past development and provides prospects for investigating ecological characteristics of the species.