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Peperomia ligustrina

Hillebr. (1888)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Magnoliids Order: Piperales Family: Piperaceae Genus: Peperomia

‘ala‘ala wai nui [alaala wai nui]

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Fleshy herbs.

Stems: Stems several, ascending from a repent base, 10–15 cm long, 2–3 mm in diameter toward base, branched above middle, internodes 0.5–3 cm long, with 3 small longitudinal ridges, glabrous.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Whorled (2–3 per node). Blades oblong to narrowly elliptic or occasionally elliptic, 1–3 cm long, 0.4–0.9 cm wide. Apex obtuse. Base cuneate to attenuate. Upper surfaces glabrous or sparsely strigillose; lower surfaces sparsely strigillose or sometimes glabrous, green; lower surfaces paler, thin, drying chartaceous. Margins flat, ± ciliate toward apex. Palmately 3-veined, midrib prominent, lateral veins inconspicuous. Petioles 0.2–0.3(–0.5) cm long, narrowly winged, glabrous or strigillose. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in spikes 1 to few, terminal or axillary, 2–5 cm long, the rachis ca. 1–1.5 mm in diameter, glabrous, flowers moderately congested, peduncles 0.3–0.7(–1.5) cm long, glabrous. Flowers bisexual (perfect), perianth absent. Each flower subtended by a peltate bract. Calyx (sepals) absent. Corolla (petals) absent. Stamens 2. Ovary superior, broadly ovoid, 1-carpellate, 1-celled, apex oblique; ovules 1 per cell, orthotropous, erect; stigmas 1–4, subterminal.

Fruit: Fruit broadly ovoid; ca. 0.7–0.8 mm long; papillose–viscid with sessile glands. Seeds 1 per fruit; with scanty endosperm and copious; starchy perisperm.

Ploidy:

Habitat: Occurring on rocks along and in streams; sometimes on wet cliffs.

Elevation Range: 420–890 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Endemic

Island Status

O'ahu Endemic
Molokai Endemic
Maui Endemic
Hawai'i Endemic

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Fl. Hawaiian Isl.: 426 (1888)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1029 (Mo, M, H); Faccenda, Arthur, et al. 2025:200 (O); St.John 12827 BISH (Mo†, 1932)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Peperomia ligustrina Honaunau Mts. Preserved_Specimen Hitchcock, A.S. 14574 Hawaii BISH 1916-09-04
2 Peperomia ligustrina Kipahulu Stream Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1704 Maui BISH 1919-11-22
3 Peperomia ligustrina S Hilo, Paukaa, E Mauna Kea, ridge between Honolii and Pohakupaa Stream. Tr. 21(111) Wet koa-`ohi`a forest with other native trees and a treefern, native shrub understory. Preserved_Specimen 3 leaves per whorl with 3 palmate veins; pale beneath, lanceolate; stem with 3 prominent ridges Warshauer, F.R. 1407 Hawaii BISH 1977-09-13
4 Peperomia ligustrina Maui Preserved_Specimen Rémy, J. 184 Maui BISH 1851-01-01
5 Peperomia ligustrina S Hilo, Papaikou, E Mauna Kea, Hanawi Stream wet koa, ohia forest with native trees and shrubs, treefern, matted ferns; rocky stream bank Preserved_Specimen leaves elliptic; 3 palmate veins; 3 leaves/whorl Warshauer, F.R. 1503 Hawaii BISH 1977-10-19
6 Peperomia ligustrina N Hilo, Honohina, E Mauna Kea, between E and W forks of Nanue Stream wet koa, ohia forest with native trees and shrubs, treefern; ~vertical stream bank Preserved_Specimen Warshauer, F.R. 1567 Hawaii BISH 1977-11-28
7 Peperomia ligustrina East Maui, Hana Forest Reserve, NE slope Haleakala, S fork of Kawaipapa Gulch Tr 12(24). wet ohia forest with other native trees and a native shrub-exotic grass and shrub understory. Preserved_Specimen Warshauer, F.R. 2924 Maui BISH 1980-06-28
8 Peperomia ligustrina East Maui, Hana District, Hana FR, Kawaipapa Stream. Vegetation: Cheirodendron, Tetraplasandra, Perrottetia, Scaevola, Broussaisia, Metrosideros, Syzygium, Clermontia, Dicranopteris, Spathodea, Salderia, Cibotium, Kadua, Isachne, Melicope Myrsine, Coprosma, Hedychium, Clidemia, Tibouchina, Freycinetia, Pittosporum, Wikstroemia, Labordia, Diplopterygium, Machaerina, Vaccinium, Pipturus, Psidium, Arundina, Paspalum, Amauropelta, Cyclosorus, Pilea, Peperomia, Dubautia, Selaginella, Psychotria, Lobelia, Ageratina, Deschampsia, Lycopodiella, Belchnum, Adiantum. Preserved_Specimen Rare, one location observed over half kilometer of stream. Plants rooted in rocky crevices, dark green above, paler below. Oppenheimer, H.L. 111210 Maui BISH 2012-11-14
9 Peperomia ligustrina East Maui, Hana District, N Waihoi Valley waterfall plunge pools, in crevices Preserved_Specimen Harrison, B. 2577 Maui BISH 1972-07-21
10 Peperomia ligustrina Hana District. Kawaipapa stream, along stream on wet cliff walls, above Nahiku-Hana area Metrosideros-Cheirodendron trigynum wet forest with Sadleria spp., Pipturus albidus, Clermontia grandiflora, Dubautia plantaginea, Cyrtandra grayana, Broussaisia arguta, Coprosma foliosa, Perrottetia sandwicensis, Clermontia kakeana, Polyscias oah Preserved_Specimen Small herb 4-8 inch ht with spikes. Perlman, S. 23385 Maui BISH 2013-04-11
11 Peperomia ligustrina Waikamoi stream bed, on rocks, submerged Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 10375 Maui BISH 1911-05-01
12 Peperomia ligustrina E Ohia wet rocks Preserved_Specimen Wiebke, H. 3068 Molokai BISH 1928-07-17
13 Peperomia ligustrina West Maui, Waihee, Mt. Eke on wet stones in stream bed Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 2624 Maui BISH 1927-07-02
14 Peperomia ligustrina W branch, Mapulehu Valley, streambed shaded rocks Preserved_Specimen Wiebke, H. 3071 Molokai BISH 1928-07-20
15 Peperomia ligustrina East Maui, Hana Forest Reserve, NE slope Haleakala, S fork of Kawaipapa Gulch Tr 12(24). wet ohia forest with other native trees and a native shrub-exotic grass and shrub understory. Preserved_Specimen Warshauer, F.R. 2924 Maui BISH 1980-07-28
16 Peperomia ligustrina East Maui, Hana District, Kawaipapa drainage basin. Along perennial stream on wet banks and waterfalls. Vegetation: Metrosideros, Cheirodendron, Dicranopteris, Diplopterygium, Broussaisia, Clermontia, Kadua, Coprosma, Pipturus, Cibotium, Sadleria, Labordia, Dryopteris, Diplazium, Asplenium, Isachne, Deschampsia, Pilea, Peperomia, Blechnum, Adiatum, Selaginella, Psidium, Clidemia, Tibouchina, Rubus, Axonopus, Sacciolepis, Hedychium, Paspalum. Preserved_Specimen Clump or mat forming herbs; leaves dark green above, pale below. Oppenheimer, H.L. 141321 Maui BISH 2013-04-23
17 Peperomia ligustrina East Maui, Hana District, Hanawi Natural Area Reserve, Kuhiwa Valley. Rare, one to a few plants occasional in riparian areas. Vegetation: Metrosideros/Dicranopteris Lowland Wet Forest, with Asplenium, Adiantum, Dryopteris, Vandenboschia, Diparia. Preserved_Specimen Herb. Leaves dark green above, paler below. Oppenheimer, H.L. 41306 Maui BISH 2013-04-10
18 Peperomia ligustrina Kohala, above Honokana nui Stream with Metrosideros, Cheirodendron, Machaerina, Styphelia, Carex, Calamagrostis, Oreobolus, Dichanthelium, Stenogyne, Myrsine, Rhynchospora Preserved_Specimen terrestrial stems, red, ~25 cm upright; leaves medium green above; white green below; spike white green Wood, K.R. 4822 Hawaii BISH 1995-11-29
19 Peperomia ligustrina East Maui, Hana District, Kipahulu Valley, Palikea Stream. Vegetation: Acacia, Metrosideros, Chedendron, Perrottetia, Broussaisia, Melicope, Clermontia, Pipturus, Myrsine, Coprosma, Kadua, Scaevola, Sadleria, Syzigium, Psychotria, Cibotium, Stenogyne, Athyrium, Diplazium, Dryopteris, Deschampsia, Carex, Selaginella, Rubus, Amauropelta, Nothoperanema, Mecodium, Vandenboschia, Christella, Machaerina, Adiantum, Clidemia, Hedychium. On rocky ledges along streams. Preserved_Specimen Scattered clumps; leaves dark green on upper surface, lighter below. Oppenheimer, H.L. 50910 Maui BISH 2009-05-11
20 Peperomia ligustrina East Maui, Hana District, eastern Kawaipapa Drainage Basin. Along perennial stream. Vegetation: Metrosideros/Dicranopteris Lowland Wet Forest with Cheirodendron, Melcope, Broussaisia, Perrottetia, Scaevola, Clermontia, Cibotium, Ilex, Coprosma, Kadua, Diplopterygium, Wikstroemia, Dubautia, Cyrtandra, Sadleria, Amauropelta, Clidemia, Hedychium, Tibouchina, Machaerina, Isachne, Sphenomeris, Peperomia, Pipturus, Paspalum, Axonopus, Cyperus, Juncus Preserved_Specimen Occasional herbs; leaves dark green above, paler below. Oppenheimer, H.L. 61305 Maui BISH 2013-06-04
21 Peperomia ligustrina Koolau Mts., Poamoho stream bed. Wet forest in stream bed. Preserved_Specimen Growing epiphytically on a tree. Chambers, T. 558 Oahu BISH 2021-01-25
22 Peperomia ligustrina West Maui, Wailuku District, West Maui Natural Area Reserve, Kahakuloa Section, western Kahakuloa Stream headwaters. On ledge at base of small waterfall. Vegetation: Metrosideros, Cheirodendron, Dicranopteris, Diplopterygium, Melicope, Coprosma, Kadua, Broussaisia, Dubautia, Pipturus, Tochardia, Urera, Cyrtandra, Clermontia, Perrottetia, Scaevola, Cibotium, Sadleria, Diplazium, Athyrium, Cyclosorus, Smilax, Carex, Astelia, Deparia, Eragrostis, Peperomia, Pilea, Deschampsia, Clidemia, Tibouchina, Ageratina. Preserved_Specimen Herbs, stems green. Possibly showing some signs of hybirdization since the internodes are not completely glabrous. Oppenheimer, H.L. 111305 Maui BISH 2013-11-06
23 Peperomia ligustrina S Hilo, Piihonua, E Mauna Kea, Kalohewahewa Stream wet koa, ohia forest with native trees and shrubs, treefern Preserved_Specimen Warshauer, F.R. 1629 Hawaii BISH 1977-12-19
24 Peperomia ligustrina East Maui, vicinity of Oopuola Stream Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 2628 Maui BISH 1927-08-07
25 Peperomia ligustrina Pukoo In petrosis rivulorum. Preserved_Specimen Faurie, A. 108 Molokai BISH 1910-05-01
26 Peperomia ligustrina Valley W of E Ohia Wet cliff. Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 3066 Molokai BISH 1928-07-16
27 Peperomia ligustrina East Maui, Hana District, Hanawai NAR, Kopili`ula Stream. Growing near mean water level along perennial stream, but undoubtedly submerged during high storm-water episodes. Vegetation: Metrosideros, Cheirodendron, Dicranopteris, Acacia, Tetraplassandra, Pritchardia, Scaevola, Perrottetia, Broussaisia, Coprosma, Clermontia, Kadua, Diplopterygium, Cibotium, Vaccinium, Sadleria. Preserved_Specimen Locally reare, two clumps in this location. Leaves dark green above, paler on abaxial surfacce. Oppenheimer, H.L. 71008 Maui BISH 2010-07-12
28 Peperomia ligustrina Punaula Valley on ground, shade Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 12827 Molokai BISH 1932-12-01
29 Peperomia ligustrina Kawaipapa Ahupuaa, East slope of Haleakala, along east side of Waihoi Stream. Transect 13, Station 17. Wet ohia forest with other native trees and a native shrub-matted fern understory. Growing in stream bed. Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 94281 Maui BISH 1980-07-26
30 Peperomia ligustrina Mapulehu Valley Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 302 Molokai BISH 1912-07-01
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