A revised infrageneric classification of the genus Peperomia (Piperaceae)

Abstract

The classification of species‐rich genera is one of the most challenging tasks in systematics. In this paper we present an updated infrageneric classification of the genus Peperomia (Piperaceae), one of the most species‐rich genera of plants. The classification is based on a molecular phylogeny of 190 accessions and the placement of 1340 of the 1606 currently accepted taxa within this classification. We provide the most comprehensive circumscriptions of Peperomia subgenera since the work of Dahlstedt in 1900, with five newly described subgenera. Fourteen monophyletic groups were revealed by phylogenetic reconstructions, including two newly discovered clades. Extensive field work, monitoring of representative living collections in our botanical gardens, and herbarium studies were the basis for morphological assignment of 80% of Peperomia species to the subgenera recognized and described herein. This work, in combination with the detailed descriptions of these subgenera, will aid field botanists, taxonomists, and ecologists to properly collect and identify species. Although parallel evolution of characters makes identification of species within Peperomia difficult, especially in species‐rich clades, the key to subgenera will provide a useful framework for anyone interested in this genus and will be a reference for further studies in Peperomia.

Taxonomic revision of Peperomia (Piperaceae) from Uruguay

“…Peperomia catharinae, P. pereskiifolia, P. psilostachya, P. tetraphylla and P. trineuroides belong to the subgenus Pseudocupula Frenzke & Scheiris (2015: 436) which is mainly characterized by rooting nodes, flowers crowded along the rachis, pseudopedicel often present in the fruits, and the presence of sticky pseudocupula, which covers the basal part of the fruits (Frenzke et al 2015). P. comarapana and P. increscens belong to the subgenus Micropiper (Miq.)…”

“…Recently a new infrageneric classification was proposed based on morphological and molecular data (Frenzke et al 2015), revealing fourteen monophyletic groups and therefore solving the previous problems regarding the infrageneric classifications.…”

“…These circumstances have led to a confusion in the taxonomy of closely related taxa and to an over-description of species, with numerous synonyms for a given taxon throughout its geographic range (Mathieu & Callejas 2006, Frenzke et al 2015.…”

Efecto antiinflamatorio de la emulsión dermica del extracto etanólico de Peperomia choroniana D. CD. (ipitanki) en edema auricular inducido por xilol en ratones

“…(ipitanqui, corazón) es una hierba rizomatosa-estolonifera con hojas simples y alternas; flores pequeñas, numerosas y sésiles, y frutos drupa con superficie lisa y pericarpio delgado (6,7) . En su estado silvestre crece en la selva central peruana, así como en Venezuela, Bolivia, Costa Rica y Panamá; se encuentra en peligro de extinción en Brasil (8,9) .…”

Synopsis of the genus Peperomia Ruiz & Pav. (Piperaceae) in Roraima State, Brazil

“…(Yuncker 1974) and also several subgenera and sections (Dahlstedt 1900, Trelease 1930, Wanke et al 2006. Recently, Frenzke et al (2015) recognized 14 subgenera, using morphological characters, mainly morphology of the fruit.…”