Disentangling the Peperomia dolabriformis species complex

Infante G.E.P.; Samain M.-S.; Padilla N.C.; Castillo J.A.A.; Collazos L.E.A.A.; Jarro G.D.C. · Haseltonia (2025) · DOI: 10.2985/026.032.0106

Resumen

Running head: The Peperomia dolabriformis species complex. One of the most striking subgenera of the giant genus Peperomia (Piperaceae) is Fenestratae, of which most species have succulent, vertically compressed leaves, with transparent tissues (fenestrae). The representatives of this clade occur in Peru and southern Ecuador, with Peperomia dolabriformis as the type and most abundant species. This taxon is also among the most widely cultivated, genuinely succulent Peperomia. Due to the morphological variation, eight varieties are currently recognized. However, recent fieldwork and collection analyses suggest that additional taxa exist. A taxonomic review of this species resulted in 15 varieties, forms, and nothotaxa of P. dolabriformis, plus a new species, including eight newly described taxa. Peperomia dolabriformis var. dolabriformis is poorly known and absent from living collections. We found no significant differences between the type variety and P. dolabriformis var. glaucescens, thus we reduce the latter to a form. We provide refined descriptions of known varieties: P. dolabriformis var. brachyphylla, P. dolabriformis var. confertifolia, P. dolabriformis var. grandis, P. dolabriformis var. lombardii, P. dolabriformis var. multicaulis, as well as the most abundant P. dolabriformis var. velutina. We describe as new P. dolabriformis var. artatifolia from the eastern slopes of La Libertad, P. dolabriformis var. chinchipensis from San Ignacio, Cajamarca in Peru and Zamora Chinchipe in Ecuador, P. dolabriformis var. perglauca from Pomahuaca, Jaén, P. dolabriformis var. pseudobrachyphylla from the Calla Calla range, Amazonas, and Peperomia dolabriformis var. semicircularis from Ancash and the upper Marañón valley. Additionally, Peperomia catamayoensis is proposed as a new species closely related to P. dolabriformis, endemic to Loja, Ecuador. Two new nothovarieties are also proposed: P. dolabriformis nothovar. × intermedia (a hybrid of P. dolabriformis var. pseudobrachyphylla and P. dolabriformis var. grandis), and P. dolabriformis nothovar. × mixticia (a hybrid of P. dolabriformis var. lombardii and P. dolabriformis var. perglauca). Plants are illustrated and an identification key is included. The IUCN Red List conservation status is proposed for all taxa.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos