Peperomia is one of the two large genera of the family Piperaceae. It is estimated that there are at least over 1,000 species, occurring in all tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They are concentrated in South and Central America, but may also be found in southern North America, the Caribbean islands, Africa, Oceania, and southern and eastern parts of Asia. The exact number of species is difficult to determine, as some plants have been recorded several times with different names, and new species continue to be discovered. Peperomias have adapted to many different environments and their appearances vary greatly. Some are epiphytes or lithophytes, and many are xerophytes or possess underground tubers (geophytes). Most species are compact perennial shrubs or vines.
In botany, the petiole is the stalk that attaches the leaf blade to the stem. It is able to twist the leaf to face the sun, producing a characteristic foliage arrangement, and also optimizing its exposure to sunlight. Outgrowths appearing on each side of the petiole in some species are called stipules. The terms petiolate and apetiolate are applied respectively to leaves with and without petioles.
Pilea peperomioides, the Chinese money plant, UFO plant, pancake plant, lefse plant or missionary plant, is a species of flowering plant in the nettle family Urticaceae, native to Yunnan and Sichuan provinces in southern China.
Oxalis triangularis, commonly called false shamrock, is a species of perennial plant in the family Oxalidaceae. It is native to several countries in southern South America. This woodsorrel is typically grown as a houseplant but can be grown outside in USDA climate zones 8a–11, preferably in light shade.
Peperomia columella is a species of plant in the family Piperaceae. The species is endemic to Peru. It grows in dry areas, often in crevices on steep cliffs or in sandy soil. It grows to about 20 cm in height, forming snake-like stems, which carry closely packed succulent bright green leaves. The leaves are truncated, U-shape in cross-section, with epidermal windows on top. It can be kept as a houseplant and has received the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society.
Peperomia tetraphylla, known as the acorn peperomia or four-leaved peperomia, is a small plant in the Peperomia genus and the Piperaceae family that grows natively in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. Additionally in can found on Easter Island as an introduced species.
Peperomia argyreia, the watermelon peperomia, is a species of flowering plant in the pepper family Piperaceae, native to northern South America, including Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Venezuela. The plant is not closely related to either watermelons or begonias. These terms relate to the shape, markings and texture of the leaves. Growing to 20 cm (7.9 in) tall and broad, it is a perennial with asymmetrical oval green leaves, slightly fleshy, strikingly marked with curved silver stripes, and red stems. Tiny green flower spikes appear in summer.
Peperomia caperata, the emerald ripple peperomia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Piperaceae, native to Brazil. It is a mound-forming evergreen perennial growing to 20 cm (8 in) tall and wide, with corrugated heart-shaped leaves, and narrow spikes of white flowers 5–8 cm (2–3 in) long, in summer.
Peperomia obtusifolia, also known as the baby rubberplant, American rubber plant, or pepper face, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Peperomia under the family Piperaceae, native to Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean. The specific epithet obtusifolia means "blunt-leaved". The plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Peperomia serpens, the vining peperomia, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Peperomia and family Piperaceae, native to the New World Tropics. The plant is perennial.
Peperomia ferreyrae is a species of plant in the genus Peperomia native to Peru. It is a small, succulent herb, growing erect to about 20 cm in height. The alternating, typically 3 to 5 cm long leaves, are in the form of tubes resembling green bean pods: U-shaped in cross-section with epidermal windows on the top-side.
Peperomia maculosa, commonly known as spotted-stalked peperomia and spotted peperomia, is a species of plant in the genus Peperomia. Its native range is from Mexico to northern South America.
Peperomia nitida is a species of plant in the genus Peperomia. Its native range is in South America from Brazil to northern Argentina. It can be kept as a houseplant and is sometimes sold as cupid peperomia, or problematically as Peperomia scandens or Peperomia serpens.
Peperomia clusiifolia is a species of plant in the genus Peperomia. It is endemic to Jamaica. It is commonly known as red edge peperomia because its leaf margins are tinged with dark red. There are varieties where this red or lighter colors are shown as striking variegation. These are typically sold under names such as P. clusiifolia 'Variegata', P. 'Jellie', or P. 'Tricolor'.
Peperomia quadrangularis, commonly known as the beetle peperomia, is a species of plant in the genus Peperomia of the family Piperaceae. Its native range is in tropical America, including areas in northern South America, Central America and the West Indies.
Peperomia glabella, commonly known as the cypress peperomia or wax privet, is a species of plant in the genus Peperomia of the family Piperaceae. Its native range is from southern North America to central South America. Three varieties are known. In addition to the basic one they are P. glabella var. nudipetiolata and P. glabella var. obtusa (Steyerm.).
Peperomia turboensis is a species of plant in the genus Peperomia of the family Piperaceae. It is native to Colombia, growing as a subshrub primarily in wet tropical areas.
Peperomia kimnachii is a species of plant in the genus Peperomia of the family Piperaceae. It is native to Bolivia, often growing as an epiphyte.
Peperomia verticillata is a species of plant in the genus Peperomia of the family Piperaceae. It is native to the Caribbean islands.
Peperomia perciliata is a species of plant in the genus Peperomia of the family Piperaceae. It is native to Colombia.
