Peperomia percalvescens

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

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

Description

The type specimen were collected at Tarapoto, Peru at an altitude of 360-900 meters above sea level.[4]

Peperomia percalvescens is a pendulous herb that is glabrous except for scattered, transient, slightly crisp-silky hairs. The firm stem is 2–3 mm thick. The alternate leaves are ovate, somewhat obtuse, with a rounded or obscurely cordulate base, measuring 4 cm long and 2 cm wide. They are pinnately nerved and, when dry, are leathery, opaque, and brown on the underside. The petiole is 5–10 mm long. The solitary spikes are terminal or terminate a deciduous, 2-bracteate branchlet about 1 cm long. They are slender, 150 mm long, reaching 5 mm thick in fruit, and are borne on a 10 mm peduncle. The berries are oblong with an oblique, acute shield bearing the central 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 Llewelyn Williams.[5]

The epithet is derived from the Latin percalvescere (to grow warm), referring to the brownish coloration of the leaf undersides or some other feature suggesting warmth or heat.[4]

Distribution and habitat

It is native to Peru.[2] It grows as a terrestrial or 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 percalvescens Trel". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Peperomia percalvescens 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): 71. 1936". Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Bot. Ser. 13(2): 71.
  5. ↑ "Peperomia percalvescens Trel". Tropicos. Retrieved 26 March 2026.