Peperomia tomentella

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

Peperomia tomentella is a species of flowering plant in the genus Peperomia that is endemic in Colombia.[1][2] It primarily grows on wet tropical biomes.[1] Its conservation status is Threatened.[3]

Description

The first specimens where collected in Colombia.[4]

Peperomia tomentella is a delicate but large-leaved herb. Its stems are 3 mm thick, somewhat having a dense covering of hairs. The leaves alternate, broadly elliptic, 4–6 cm wide and 6–9 cm long, rounded at both ends, 7-plinerved. The nerves are confluent within the lowermost 10 mm with velvety on the nerves beneath. Its petioles are 2–3 cm long, subtomentose. It has terminal spikes that is 2 mm thick and 2 cm long. Its peduncle is 15 mm crisp-pubescent. Its bracts are round. Its ovary and fruit are not developed.[4]

The species is placed with those having stigmas at the tip because of the close resemblance of its vegetative characters with a number of Peperomia species. The shape of the leaves, pubescence, and nervation distinguish it.[4]

Taxonomy and Naming

It was described in 1950 by Trel. & Yunck. in The Piperaceae of northern South America, from specimens collected by José Celestino Mutis.[5] It got its name from the description of its stem, which means having a dense covering of hairs.[4]

Distribution and Habitat

It is endemic in Colombia.[2] It grows on an epiphyte environment and is a herb.[1][4] Its elevation range is 1200–1500 meters.[1] 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 e "Peperomia tomentella Trel. & Yunck". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
  2. ^ a b "Peperomia tomentella Trel. & Yunck". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 1 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 e Trelease, William; Yuncker, Truman George. "The Piperaceae of northern South America 2: 453–454, f. 451. 1950". Piperac. N. South Amer. 2: 453–454.
  5. ^ "Peperomia tomentella Trel. & Yunck". Tropicos. Retrieved 1 March 2026.