Peperomia elegantifolia

Peperomia elegantifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Magnoliids
Order: Piperales
Family: Piperaceae
Genus: Peperomia
Species:
P. elegantifolia
Binomial name
Peperomia elegantifolia

Peperomia elegantifolia is a species of epiphyte in the genus Peperomia that is endemic in Peru.[1][2] It grows on wet tropical biomes.[1] Its conservation status is Threatened.[3]

Description

The type specimen were collected near San Roque, Peru, at an altitude of 1,350–1,500 meters (4,430–4,920 ft).[4]

Peperomia elegantifolia is a medium-sized, glabrous, forest-dwelling herb. The alternate leaves are lanceolate to typically lanceolate-obovate, somewhat acute, with a cuneate base, measuring 9–10 cm (3.5–3.9 in) long and 3–4.5 cm (1.2–1.8 in) wide. They are pinnately nerved from the lower half. The petiole is barely 1 cm long. The spikes are borne in pairs in the axils on slender peduncles. The branching structure is complex: a main peduncle about 3 cm long may bear the spikes, or a longer peduncle may terminate in a reduced leaf and then the spikes. The ultimate peduncles bearing the spikes are 5–10 mm long.[4]

Taxonomy and naming

It was described in 1936 by William Trelease in Publications of the Field Museum of Natural History, Botanical Series 13, from specimens collected by Llewelyn Williams.[5] It got its epithet from the Latin wikt:elegans + wikt:folia, referring to the plant's elegant foliage.[4]

Distribution and habitat

It is endemic in Peru.[2] It grows on a epiphyte environment and is a herb.[1][4] It grows on wet tropical biomes.[1]

Conservation

This species is assessed as Threatened, in a preliminary report.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Peperomia elegantifolia Trel". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  2. ^ a b "Peperomia elegantifolia Trel". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  3. ^ a b Bachman, Steven P.; Brown, Matilda J. M.; Leão, Tarciso C. C.; Lughadha, Eimear Nic; Walker, Barnaby E. (2024). "Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation". New Phytologist. 242 (2): 797–808. doi:10.1111/nph.19592. PMID 38437880.
  4. ^ a b c d Trelease, William. "Publications of the Field Museum of Natural History, Botanical Series 13(357): 41. 1936". Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Bot. Ser. 13(357): 41.
  5. ^ "Peperomia elegantifolia Trel". Tropicos. Retrieved 14 March 2026.