Peperomia percalvescens
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Peperomia percalvescens | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| 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]
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]