Peperomia apurimacana
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| Peperomia apurimacana | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Magnoliids |
| Order: | Piperales |
| Family: | Piperaceae |
| Genus: | Peperomia |
| Species: | P. apurimacana |
| Binomial name | |
| Peperomia apurimacana | |
Peperomia apurimacana 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]
The type specimen were collected near Carrapa, Peru, at an altitude of 1,500 meters (4,900 ft).[4]
Peperomia apurimacana is a tall, succulent epiphyte with a branching growth form. Its stems are 2 to 4 mm thick and covered in a curly, woolly pubescence. The leaves are opposite in arrangement, somewhat rhombic-elliptical in shape, with both ends tapering to a sharp point. The lower leaves are reduced and obovate with a truncate tip. Leaf blades range from 3 cm long and 1 cm wide to as large as 5 cm (2.0 in) long and 3 cm (1.2 in) wide, featuring three prominent nerves. They bear a persistent curly pubescence and appear thin when dried. The petioles are also curly-pubescent and vary from 5 to 10 mm long, occasionally reaching up to 15 mm. The flower spikes are terminal and axillary, thread-like in form, measuring 3–4 cm (1.2–1.6 in) long with somewhat loosely arranged flowers. Each flower is accompanied by short pseudopedicels. The spikes are borne on a translucent, minutely pubescent peduncle 10 to 15 mm long. The floral bracts are rounded and peltate, shield-shaped with the peduncle attached at the center.[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 & Dorothea Eliza Smith.[5] It got its name from the location where the type specimen was collected.[4]