Species

Peperomia blanda var. floribunda

Etymology

Peperomia: From the Greek peperi (pepper) and homoios (resembling), referring to its resemblance to a true pepper (to which it is closely related)
blanda: Mild

Common Name(s)

None Known

Current Conservation Status

2012 - Non Resident Native - Coloniser

Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012
The conservation status of all known New Zealand vascular plant taxa at the rank of species and below were reassessed in 2012 using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). This report includes a statistical summary and brief notes on changes since 2009 and replaces all previous NZTCS lists for vascular plants. Authors: Peter J. de Lange, Jeremy R. Rolfe, Paul D. Champion, Shannel P. Courtney, Peter B. Heenan, John W. Barkla, Ewen K. Cameron, David A. Norton and Rodney A. Hitchmough. File size: 792KB

Previous Conservation Status

2009 - Non Resident Native - Coloniser
2004 - Non Resident Native - Vagrant

Qualifiers

2012 - OL, SO
2009 - SO, OL

Authority

Peperomia blanda var. floribunda (Miq.) H.Huber

Family

Piperaceae

Flora Category

Vascular - Native

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Herbs other than Composites

Synonyms

Has been referred to Peperomia leptostachya Hook. et Arn.

Distribution

In New Zealand known from Raoul Island (Kermadec Island group) only. Common on islands throughout the Pacific

Habitat

In New Zealand found as a low epiphyte on Kermadec Pohutukawa (Metrosideros kermadecensis W.R.B.Oliv.), on cliff faces and amongst rocks and rubble beneath cliff faces and ravines on Raoul Island.

Features

Succulent perennial herb forming sparingly to densely branched shrublets up to 500 x 600 mm. Stems light yellow gree to reddish-green, ascending or erect from creeping base, 150-250-500 mm long, up to 10 mm diameter at base, branches less toward apex, internodes 10-40 mm apart; surfaces finely puberulent (hairs 0.3-0.8 mm long). Leaves opposite or sometimes ternate, usually falling readily. Petioles 5-10 mm long, puberulent. Leaf lamina 15-60 x 12-30 mm, dark green to yellow-green, lower surface paler, elliptic-obovate to elliptic, or elliptic-ovate, apex broadly acute, obtuse or rounded, base cuneate to broadly cuneate; palmately 3-5-nerved, finely puberulent, moderately firm-fleshy, thin and membranous. Inflorescences axillary or terminal spikes, these numerous, 20-130 mm long, rachis 0.5-1 mm diameter, glabrous. Flowers moderately close to loosely spaced, peduncles 5-25 mm long, puberulent with finely spreading to appressed hairs; ovary broadly ovoid, apex oblique; stigmas subterminal. Fruit broadly obovoid 0.9-1 mm.

Similar Taxa

It is not closely allied to any of the other species found in New Zealand. On Raoul Island it grows with P. urvilleana from which it is easily distinguished by its larger uniformly hairy leaves

Flowering

October - July

Fruiting

October - July

Propagation Technique

Easy from rooted pieces, stem cuttings and (if available) fresh seed. Cold sensitive but an excellent pot plant fora warm, shaded site in the house

Threats

Still uncommon on Raoul Island, though recent (2004) field survey suggests it is actively increasing its range on that island. It is not yet clear what impact the 2005 eruptions may have had on this species.

Chromosome No.

2n = 66

Endemic Taxon

No

Endemic Genus

No

Endemic Family

No

Comments

Formerly listed as a vagrant. It is now clear that it is actively spreading and as it is apaprently no longer constrained to a particular habitat on Raoul Island it is better regarded as a Coloniser. New Zealand plants were referred to var. floribunda by Forster (1993). See also comments by Murray & de Lange (2013).

Attribution

Fact Sheet prepared by P.J. de Lange (30 August 2011). Description base don fresh specimens and live plants from Raoul Island.

References and further reading

Forster, P.I. 1993: A taxonomic revision of the genus Peperomia Ruiz & Pav. (Piperaceae) in mainland Australia. Austrobaileya 4: 93-104.

Murray, B.G.; de Lange, P.J. 2013: Contributions to a chromosome atlas of the New Zealand flora – 40. Miscellaneous counts for 36 families. New Zealand Journal of Botany 51: 31–60.

This page last updated on 6 Dec 2014