Peperomia tuberculata Yunck.

  • Authority

    Yuncker, Truman G. 1955. Plants collected in Ecuador by W. H. Camp. Piperaceae. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 9 (2): 147-170.

  • Family

    Piperaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Peperomia tuberculata Yunck.

  • Type

    CAÑAR: dry chaparral scrub and paramo, with occasional moist valleys, near El Tambo (ca 69 km by RR south of Sibambe), 2850-3000 m, Apr 22, 1945, Giler {Camp E-2802) (TYPE).

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Herba repens delicata; foliis alternis rotundato-reniformibus, apice rotundatis, basi cordatis, utrinque dissite hispidis vel subglabris, palmatim 7-9-nerviis; ovario fusiformi, substyloso; stigmate apicali.

    Species Description - A delicate, pellucid, trailing herb; stems scarcely 1 mm thick when dry, glabrous or sparsely hispid at the nodes, rooting at the nodes, the roots filiform, frequently with smooth, fusiform tubers up to 5 mm long; internodes elongate; leaves alternate, round-reniform, the apex rounded, the base cordate, 8-15 mm wide, loosely hispid on both sides with flaccid hairs or subglabrous, palmately 7-9-nerved, the nerves branching upward, joined with a delicate submarginal nervule, drying very thin and transparent; petiole slender, variable in length, glabrous or sparsely hairy; spikes (?) leaf-opposed, 1-2 cm or (?) more long, loosely flowered; peduncle glabrous; bracts small, round, peltate; ovary fusiform, tapering to a style-like apex, stipitate (?); stigma apical; fruit not matured.

  • Discussion

    This is a very delicate species apparently closely related to P. hispidula from which it differs in the more trailing habit of growth and smaller, reinformcordate leaves. The only spike present is immature but it very closely resembles those of P. hispidula at the same stage of maturity. It is also reminiscent of Verhuellia, but there is no evidence of more than one style or stigma.

    The root tubers, while not unique in this species, are more obvious than is usual.

    It differs from P. per hispidula of Peru in its more glabrous, prostrate stems, its cordate, 7-9-nerved leaves, and its longer petioles.