Peperomia trichopus

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

Peperomia trichopus is a species of epiphytic subshrub or herb in the genus Peperomia found in parts of United States and parts of South America.[1][2] It primarily grows on wet tropical biomes.[1] Its conservation status is Not Threatened.[3]

Description

The first specimens where collected in Peru.[4]

Peperomia trichopus is a very delicate epiphytic creeping herb, with a glabrous filiform stem. The leaves at the node usually 5 obovate-cuneate with a rounded tip. It is barely 5 mm long and 4 mm wide. It is 3-nerved, appressed-pubescent above, filiform petioles in whorls, 2–5 mm long. The terminal spikes are 30 mm long, 1 cm thick, loose catkins, with a filiform peduncle 3–4 cm long. The bracts are round. The red-brown berries are oblong, curved, short but distinctly loaded, subconically apiculate, with terminal stigma.[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 James Francis Macbride.[5] It got its name from the description of the leaves.

Distribution and Habitat

It is found in United States and parts of South America, specifically West South America.[2] It grows on an epiphyte environment and is a subshrub or herb.[4][1] In Colombia, its elevation range is 1600–2300 meters.[1] It grows on wet tropical biomes.[1]

Conservation

This species is assessed as Not Threatened, in a preliminary report.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Peperomia trichopus Trel". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
  2. ^ a b "Peperomia trichopus Trel". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 27 February 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 Trelease, William. ":Publications of the Field Museum of Natural History, Botanical Series 13(2): 101. 1936". Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Bot. Ser. 13(2): 101.
  5. ^ "Peperomia trichopus Trel". Tropicos. Retrieved 27 February 2026.