Editing Peperomia (section)

==Description==
Peperomias vary considerably in appearance (see gallery below) and there is no universally accepted method of categorising them, although three main groups can be distinguished.<ref name="Mathieu" /> Most species are compact and usually do not exceed {{convert|12|in|cm|order=flip|abbr=on|0}} in height.

First are plants with decorative foliage, which often grow in [[Rainforest|rain or cloud forests]] as [[epiphyte]]s. They are adapted to living in small shady crevices on, for example, trees, with small root systems. As they do not have access to ground water they are typically [[Succulent plant|succulent]] to a certain degree, which in many species shows as thick, fleshy leaves which have a waxy surface and are sometimes rippled. The leaves may be oval with the leafstalk at or near the center of the leaf blade, or they may be heart-shaped or lance-shaped; their size varies from {{convert|1|-|4|in|cm|round=0.5|abbr=on|order=flip}} long. They may be green or striped, marbled or bordered with pale green, red or gray, and the [[petiole (botany)|petioles]] of some kinds are red. They also enjoy high air humidity, warm temperatures, and grow all year round. Examples include ''[[Peperomia argyreia|P. argyreia]]'', ''[[Peperomia caperata|P. caperata]]'', ''[[Peperomia nitida|P. nitida]]'', ''[[Peperomia obtusifolia|P. obtusifolia]]'', ''[[Peperomia polybotrya|P. polybotrya]]'', and ''[[Peperomia scandens|P. scandens]]''.<ref name="Mathieu" /><ref name="RowleyRauh01" />

The second group consists of more arid-climate, succulent peperomias, which are often found in higher altitudes. They are adapted to withstanding a long warm season followed by a colder winter and very little rainfall. They store water both in their stout stems and in their succulent leaves, which typically form a sort of “tube” or “burrito”, appearing U- or V-shaped in cross-section, often with [[epidermal window]]s on the top-side. ''[[Peperomia columella|P. columella]]'', ''[[Peperomia ferreyrae|P. ferreyrae]]'', ''[[Peperomia graveolens|P. graveolens]]'' and ''[[Peperomia nivalis|P. nivalis]]'' fall into this category.<ref name="Mathieu" /><ref name="RowleyRauh03">{{cite journal |last1=Rowley |first1=Gordon |last2=Rauh |first2=Werner |author1-link=Gordon Rowley |author2-link=Werner Rauh |title=Pep for plantsmen — Part 3, the window-leaved peperomias |journal=British Cactus & Succulent Journal |date=2002 |volume=20 |issue=1 |pages=43–49 |jstor=42793779 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/42793779 |access-date=28 April 2022}}</ref>

The third group contains [[geophytic]] peperomias. These plants have leaves that fall off in the colder dry season, survive due to their [[Caudex|underground tubers]], and grow the leaves back as more rain falls. Examples include ''[[Peperomia macrorhiza|P. macrorhiza]]'', ''[[Peperomia peruviana|P. peruviana]]'', and ''[[Peperomia umbilicata|P. umbilicata]]''.<ref name="Mathieu" /><ref name="RowleyRauh02">{{cite journal |last1=Rowley |first1=Gordon |last2=Rauh |first2=Werner |author1-link=Gordon Rowley |author2-link=Werner Rauh |title=Pep for plantsmen — Part 2, the geophytic peperomias |journal=British Cactus & Succulent Journal |date=2001 |volume=19 |issue=4 |pages=200–205 |jstor=42793763 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/42793763 |access-date=28 April 2022}}</ref> Currently just under 50 species of geophytic peperomias are known, but new ones continue to be discovered.<ref name="Mathieu02">{{cite web |last1=Mathieu |first1=G. |title=Focus on new geophytic Peperomias |url=http://peperomia.net/focusdetail.asp?id=10 |website=Internet Peperomia Reference |access-date=20 May 2022}}</ref>

Peperomia flowers are typically unnoticeable, growing in cordlike [[raceme|spike]]s, although there are some exceptions such as ''[[Peperomia fraseri|P. fraseri]]''. Most peperomia flowers seem odorless to humans but some carry a musty or even unpleasant odor, such as ''[[Peperomia graveolens|P. graveolens]]''. The fruit is a berry that eventually dries out and shows the tiny pepper-like seed.<ref name="RowleyRauh01" />