Peperomia pillahuatana

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

Peperomia pillahuatana 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 Pillahuata, Peru at an altitude of 200-2300 meters above sea level.[4]

Peperomia pillahuatana is a medium-sized, ascending, erect, glabrous herb with a stem 4–5 mm thick that is repeatedly forked and exfoliates in a furfuraceous manner. The leaves are opposite or in whorls of 3–4 on the upper nodes. They are obovate, slightly emarginate, with a cuneate base, measuring 8–20 mm long and 8–14 mm wide, and are opaque and leathery with a granular underside. The petiole is 3–10 mm long. The terminal spikes are 80 mm long and 2–3 mm thick, with a peduncle 10–15 mm long. The ovaries are inserted in small pits.[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 Francis W. Pennell.[5]

The epithet pillahuatana is derived from the type locality.[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 pillahuatana Trel". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Peperomia pillahuatana 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): 74. 1936". Publ. Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Bot. Ser. 13(2): 74.
  5. ↑ "Peperomia pillahuatana Trel". Tropicos. Retrieved 26 March 2026.