American rubber plant, Blunt-leaved peperomia
Peperomia obtusifolia

Family: Piperaceae

What it is like

A fleshy herb. It can be erect or sprawling. The stems are 15 cm long. They take root at the nodes. The leaves are oval and 10 cm long. They are thick and alternate. They have rounded tips and wedge shaped bases. They are on winged stalks. This species varies a lot and is difficult to identify from others.

There are about 1,000 Peperomia species. They are mostly in South America. These have previously been put in the Peperomaceae family.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in light to dark shade in moist and rich soil up to 20 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America (country/location of origin), Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, Indonesia, Jamaica, Lesser Antilles, Marianas, Marquesas, Mexico (country/location of origin), Nauru, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, SE Asia, South America (country/location of origin), Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, USA, Venezuela, West Indies (country/location of origin), Winward Is.

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked and used as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Oval-leaf, Baby rubber, Peperomia daun belat, Pepper-face

Synonyms

Peperomia bayatana Trel.; Peperomia cuneata Miq.; Peperomia cuneifolia (Jacq.) A. Dietr.; Peperomia daiquiriana Trel.; Peperomia earlei Trel.; Peperomia hemionitidifolia Desv. ex Ham.; Peperomia lunana Trel.; Peperomia magnolifolia (Jacq.) A. Dietr. var. emarginulata C. DC.; Peperomia spathulifolia Small; Peperomia tithymaloides (Vahl) A. Dietr.; Piper cuneifolium Jacq.; Piper milleri Roem. & Schult.; Piper obtusifolium L.; Piper tithymaloides Vahl;