Peperomia majalis

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

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

Description

The type specimen were collected at near Dos de Mayo, Peru at an altitude of 1700-1900 meters above sea level.[4]

Peperomia majalis is a medium-sized, tree-dwelling herb that is glabrous except for the ciliate leaf margins. The stem is 4 mm thick with short internodes. The alternate leaves are elliptic or typically ovate, somewhat acute, with a rounded to shortly cordate base, and are peltate near the base. They measure 6–10 cm long and 3.5–6.5 cm wide, with slender, multiple pinnate nerves. When dry, they are yellowish-brown and leathery. The petiole is 2–4 cm long. The terminal spikes are borne in pairs at the apex of a 1-bracteate branchlet. They are 40 mm long and 2 mm thick, with a 1 cm peduncle.[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 Ellsworth Paine Killip & Albert Charles Smith.[5]

The epithet is derived from the Latin for "of May," referring to the type locality.[4]

Distribution and habitat

It is native to Peru.[2] It grows as an epiphytic herb.[1] It grows on wet tropical biomes.[1]

Conservation

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

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Peperomia majalis Trel". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Peperomia majalis Trel". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  3. 1 2 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. 1 2 3 Trelease, William. "Publications of the Field Museum of Natural History, Botanical Series 13(2): 63. 1936". Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Bot. Ser. 13(2): 63.
  5. ↑ "Peperomia majalis Trel". Tropicos. Retrieved 26 March 2026.