''Peperomia nivalis'' is a species of plant in the genus ''

Peperomia ''Peperomia'' is one of the two large genera of the family Piperaceae. It is estimated that there are at least over 1,000 species, occurring in all tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They are concentrated in South and Central America, ...

'' endemic to

Peru Peru, officially the Republic of Peru, is a country in western South America. It is bordered in the north by Ecuador and Colombia, in the east by Brazil, in the southeast by Bolivia, in the south by Chile, and in the south and west by the Pac ...

. Its native habitat is found in the high altitude ranges of the peruvian

Andes The Andes ( ), Andes Mountains or Andean Mountain Range (; ) are the List of longest mountain chains on Earth, longest continental mountain range in the world, forming a continuous highland along the western edge of South America. The range ...

. ''P. nivalis'' is a compact erect

succulent In botany, succulent plants, also known as succulents, are plants with parts that are thickened, fleshy, and engorged, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. The word ''succulent'' comes from the Latin word ''sucus'', meani ...

herb with fleshy stems and leaves. The thick leaves are cuneate and U-shaped in cross-section with epidermal windows on the top-side. The leaf color is bright green in the shady summer and reddish during dry sunny seasons. In addition to the basic ''P. nivalis'' four other

varieties Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

and forms are known: ''Peperomia nivalis ''f.'' diminuta'', ''Peperomia nivalis ''var.'' compacta'', ''Peperomia nivalis ''var.'' lepadiphylla'' (a.k.a. ''Peperomia pruinosifolia''), and ''Peperomia nivalis ''var.'' sanmarcensis''. They all share basic characteristics, such as the windowed leaves, but there also clear differences. For example, the variety ''P. nivalis lepadiphylla'' features trailing rather than erect stems and shorter leaves which resemble peas or lentils. Peperomia nivalis var lepadiphylla in cultivation

Peperomia nivalis var lepadiphylla in cultivation

Varieties of ''Peperomia nivalis'' are sometimes kept as

ornamental plant Ornamental plants or ''garden plants'' are plants that are primarily grown for their beauty but also for qualities such as scent or how they shape physical space. Many flowering plants and garden varieties tend to be specially bred cultivars th ...

s, especially by

succulent plant In botany, succulent plants, also known as succulents, are plants with parts that are thickened, fleshy, and engorged, usually to retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. The word ''succulent'' comes from the Latin word ''sucus'', meanin ...

collectors. Due to their fleshy leaves and stems they are drought-tolerant and can survive weeks without water. Overwatering can be highly detrimental. They should always be watered moderately and be left without any water when temperatures are low. ''P. nivalis'' and ''P. nivalis'' var. ''lepadiphylla'' are also used in peruvian

folk medicine Traditional medicine (also known as indigenous medicine or folk medicine) refers to the knowledge, skills, and practices rooted in the cultural beliefs of various societies, especially Indigenous groups, used for maintaining health and treatin ...

. The thick leaves are crushed leaving a sap which, after roasting, is used as drops against

otitis Otitis is a general term for inflammation in ear or ear infection, inner ear infection, middle ear infection of the ear, in both humans and other animals. When infection is present, it may be viral or bacterial. When inflammation is present due t ...

and

conjunctivitis Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye or Madras eye, is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin, clear layer that covers the white surface of the eye and the inner eyelid. It makes the eye appear pink or reddish. Pain, burning, scratchiness ...

References

External links

TAMU Ornamentals Profile
{{Taxonbar, from=Q7166269 nivalis Flora of Peru Drought-tolerant plants Succulent plants Alpine flora