Peperomia haematolepis
Content
Description
Epiphytic, glabrous herb. Stem ascending. Leaves alternate; petiole not grooved or winged, 0.5-1.5 cm long; blade ellipic to obovate (to broadly ovate in extra-Guianan specimens), 4.5 x 3-4 cm, apex rounded or emarginate, base cuneate; pinnately veined veins branching off in lower part of primary vein, may be obsolete when dried. Inflorescence terminal, single, erect; peduncle not slender, 3.5-5 cm long, glabrous or minutely puberulent; spike 2-5 cm long, reddish; floral bracts rounded, glandular. Fruits ellipsoid or ovoid narrowing into slender beak, with curved tip, stigma at base of beak.
Distribution
French Guiana present, Southern America: Colombia (Colombia present); Ecuador (Ecuador present); Peru (Peru present); Venezuela (Venezuela present), Suriname present
Colombia, Venezuela, Suriname, French Guiana, Ecuador and Peru; 8 collections studied (SU: 1; FG: 2).
Notes
Peperomia haematolepis is rather similar to small sized specimens of P. obtusifolia or P. magnoliifolia but differs in having shorter spikes (to 5 cm vs. to 18 cm), and peduncle shorter or not much longer than the spike (vs. spike much longer than peduncle in the latter two species).
Some of the collections that have been identified as P. obtusifolia could belong to P. haematolepis.
Some of the collections that have been identified as P. obtusifolia could belong to P. haematolepis.