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Peperomia obtusifolia (L.)A.Dietr.
Florida Peperomia
Baby Rubberplant
Synonym(s): Peperomia floridana Small
Florida native
Endangered Florida species
Florida peperomia is a rare epiphytic, and occasionally terrestrial, plant of tropical hammocks in Brevard, Indian RIver, Collier, Monroe and Miami-Dade counties. The range includes Puerto Rico and parts of tropical America.
The alternate leaves are leathery and rounded, 5cm (2 in.) long and 3cm (1-1/4 in.) wide or more. One to two densely flowered spikes are terminal, with microscopic spicule-like trichomes on the peduncles. The green flowering spikes turn brown at maturity and are 5.5-23cm (2-1/8 to 9 in.) long and 3.5-5.5mm (1/8 to ~1/4 in.) in diameter. The individual fruits are only about one millimeter long with the upper portion tapering to a filiform beak that is abruptly hooked near the tip.
Peperomia obtusifolia is a member of the Piperaceae - Pepper family.
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
iNaturalist profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: May 16, 2024
