Biology:Peperomia cuprea

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Short description: Species of flowering plant

Peperomia cuprea
File:Peperomia cuprea.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Magnoliids
Order: Piperales
Family: Piperaceae
Genus: Peperomia
Species:
P. cuprea
Binomial name
Peperomia cuprea
Trel.

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

Description

The type specimen were collected near Chanchamayo Valley, Peru, at an altitude of 1,200 meters (3,900 ft).[4]

Peperomia cuprea is a medium-sized, creeping herb with a stem about 2 mm thick that bears an obscure, evanescent, more or less crisp pubescence. The alternate leaves are ovate, somewhat acuminate, with a rounded base, and are peltate (attached 3–5 mm above the base). They measure 3.5–4.5 cm long and 2–3.5 cm wide, and are opaque, leathery, with obscure multiple pinnate nerves and a narrowly revolute margin. The underside is a distinctive copper color and has silky-ciliate hairs. The petiole is 1–2.5 cm long with a soft, evanescent pubescence. The axillary spikes are 55 mm long and 3 mm thick, with tightly arranged flowers in zones, and are borne on a 2 cm, glabrous peduncle. The small, round-peltate bracts are arranged in pseudowhorls of about 20.[4]

Taxonomy and naming

It was described in 1936 by William Trelease in Publications of the Field Museum of Natural History, Botanical Series 13 (es), from specimens collected by Carlos Schunke.[5] It got its epithet from the Latin cuprea, referring to the copper-colored undersides of the leaves that distinguish this species.[4]

Subtaxa

Following subtaxa are accepted.[2][5]

  • Peperomia cuprea var. cordulifolia Trel.

Distribution and habitat

It is endemic in Peru.[2] It grows on a epiphyte environment and is a herb.[1][4] It grows on wet tropical biomes.[1]

Conservation

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

References

Wikidata ☰ Q15606536 entry