Peperomia cuprea
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| Peperomia cuprea | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Magnoliids |
| Order: | Piperales |
| Family: | Piperaceae |
| Genus: | Peperomia |
| Species: | P. cuprea |
| Binomial name | |
| Peperomia cuprea | |
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]
The type specimen were collected near Chanchamayo Valley, Peru at an altitude of 1200 meters.[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, from specimens collected by Carlos Schunke.[5] It got its epithet from the Latin wikt:cuprea, referring to the copper-colored undersides of the leaves that distinguish this species. [4]