Five New Bullate-leaved Species of Peperomia (Piperaceae) from Colombia

Abstract

 We describe and illustrate five new species of bullate-leaved Peperomia Ruiz & Pav. from Colombia: P. arboretorum J. E. Jiménez, Díaz-Rueda & J. P. Tobón-A. from Antioquia, P. boyacensis J. E. Jiménez & D. Amaya from Boyacá, P. bullatifolia J. E. Jiménez, Edwin Trujillo & Villanueva from Caquetá, P. guanesorum J. E. Jiménez & D. Sanín from Santander, and P. val­lecaucana J. E. Jiménez from Valle del Cauca. Together with previously known taxa, these discoveries raise to 10 the number of Colombian species with bullate leaf blades, a phenotype that has likely been underestimated because it is often obscured in herbarium material. All known bullate-leaved species are terrestrial, restricted to shaded understory habitats, and most are allopatric montane endemics. We combine detailed field observations, herbarium studies, and a phylogenetic framework to aid description of these species and understand the evolution of bullate-leaved Peperomia. Four new species for which molecular data are available are placed in Peperomia subg. Multipalmata Scheiris & Frenzke, whereas P. vallecaucana is inferred, based on morphology, to belong to subgenus Perlucida Scheiris & Frenzke. Additional sampling of three previously described bullate-leaved species was also added to the phylogeny. Our results demonstrate that bullate leaves in Colombian Peperomia have evolved at least three times independently and are concentrated in two major lineages, Multipalmata and Perlucida. We recog­nize two main venation-related bullation patterns and highlight the potential adaptative significance of this trait in humid, low-light montane forests. For each new species, we provide a morphological description, notes on distribution, habitat, and a preliminary IUCN conservation assessment. Photographs and illustrations of all the living plants are also included, as well as a key to identify the species with bullate leaf blades in Colombia.