Peperomia

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Magnoliids
Ordo: Piperales

Familia: Piperaceae
Subfamilia: Piperoideae
Genus: Peperomia
Subgenera: P. subg. Erasmia – P. subg. Fenestratae – P. subg. Hispidulae – P. subg. Leptorhynchum – P. subg. Micropiper – P. subg. Multipalmata – P. subg. Oxyrhynchum – P. subg. Panicularia – P. subg. Peperomia – P. subg. Perlucida – P. subg. Phyllobryon – P. subg. Pleurocarpidium – P. subg. Pseudocupula – P. subg. Tildenia
Species: P. abyssinica – P. alata – P. amplexicaulis – P. angustata – P. argyreia – P. brachytricha – P. caperata – P. clusiifolia – P. deppeana – P. diaphanoides – P. dolabriformis – P. fenzlii – P. flexicaulis – P. fraseri – P. galioides – P. glabella – P. griseoargentea – P. humilis – P. inaequalifolia – P. incana – P. lyallii – P. macrostachya – P. madagascariensis – P. magnoliifolia – P. marmorata – P. maypurensis – P. metallica – P. nivalis – P. obtusifolia – P. pellucida – P. pereskiifolia – P. peruviana – P. prostrata – P. puteolata – P. quadrangularis – P. quadrifolia – P. resediflora – P. rotundifolia – P. rubella – P. serpens – P. strawii – P. tetragona – P. tetraphylla – P. trifolia – P. urvilleana – P. velutina – P. verticillata – P. weberbaueri – P. wheeleri
Name

Peperomia Ruiz & Pav., Fl. Peruv. Prodr. 8. 1794.
Type species: Peperomia secundiflora Ruiz & Pav.

Synonyms

Heterotypic
Micropiper Miq., Comment. Phytogr. 32, 39. 16-21 Mar 1840; Bull. Sci. Phys. Nat. Néerl. 1839: 447, 451. Jan-Jun 1840.
Type species: Micropiper melanostigma Miq., vide Samain & al. (2007: 230)
Phyllobryon Miq., Syst. Piperac. 50. 1843.
Type species: Phyllobryon pavonii Miq, nom. illeg.

References

Forster, P.I. (1993) A taxonomic revision of the genus Peperomia Ruiz & Pav. (Piperaceae) in mainland Australia. Austrobaileya, 4: 93–104.
Frenzke, L., Scheiris, E., Pino, G., Symmank, L., Goetghebeur, P., Neinhuis, C., Wanke, S. & Samain, M.-S. 2015. A revised infrageneric classification of the genus Peperomia (Piperaceae). Taxon 64(3): 424–444 (436!). DOI: 10.12705/643.4 JSTOR ResearchGate Reference page.
Mathieu, G. (2001 onwards) Taxonomic Repertory of the Genus Peperomia [1]
Ruiz López, H. & Pavón, J.A. (1794) Fl. Peruv. Prodr. 8.

Vernacular names
eesti: Peperoomia
suomi: Muorinkukat

Peperomia (radiator plant) is one of the two large genera of the family Piperaceae. Most of them are compact, small perennial epiphytes growing on rotten wood. More than 1500 species have been recorded, occurring in all tropical and subtropical regions of the world, though concentrated in Central America and northern South America. A limited number of species (around 17) are found in Africa.

Description

Though varying considerably in appearance (see gallery below), these species generally have thick, stout stems and fleshy leaves, sometimes with epidermal windows. Peperomia flowers typically come in yellow to brown conical spikes.

These tropical perennials are grown for their ornamental foliage. They are mostly natives of tropical America. They are compact and usually do not exceed 30 cm (12 in) in height. They vary considerably in appearance. Some have threadlike, trailing stems and some have fleshy, stout stems. The leaves are smooth and fleshy and may be oval with the leafstalk at or near the center of the leaf blade, or they may be heart-shaped or lance-shaped; their size may vary from 2.5–10 cm (1–4 in) long. They may be green or striped, marbled or bordered with pale green, red or gray, and the petioles of some kinds are red. The tiny flowers are unnoticeable, and they grow in the form of cordlike spikes. The fruit is a berry that eventually dries out and shows the pepper-like seed.
Horticulture

Peperomias are grown for their ornamental foliage and sometimes for their attractive flowers (Peperomia fraseri). Except for the succulent species, they are generally easy to grow in a greenhouse.

The ASPCA includes many peperomia species on the list of plants that are non-toxic to pets.[1]
Propagation

These plants can be propagated by seeds, by cuttings, or by dividing. Peperomia cuttings root easily.[2]

Plants can be divided and repotted. They are removed and separated into smaller pieces, each with a few roots attached. Leaf or stem cuttings can also be taken in the spring or summer. The lower leaves of the shoots are removed and a cut is made below the bottom node (joint). They are then laid on a bench for an hour or two to allow a protective callus tissue to form over the cuts. They are then inserted in a propagating case with bottom heat of 21–24 °C (70–75 °F). It is best not to seal the top completely, as the plants are semi-succulent in nature and excessive humidity is detrimental. When enough roots have formed, cuttings can be planted in 75 mm (3 in) pots or in hanging baskets.

References

"Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List - Cats". American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
R.W. Henley; L.S. Osborne; A.R. Chase. "Peperomia Production Guide". University of Florida, IFAS. Retrieved 10 October 2021.