Wheeler's Peperomia

Peperomia wheeleri

Description

Wheeler's peperomia, Peperomia wheeleri, is an evergreen, hairless, fleshy herb reaching 3 ft (1 m) in height, with clusters of minute flowers on spikes 4-6 in (10-15 cm) long.

Habitat

Wheeler's peperomia is found only on steep, north-facing slopes in semi-evergreen forests where the humus layer overlays large diorite boulders. These boulders are scattered over a large area of the northern part of Culebra Island, but deforestation and grazing animals have substantially altered the original ground cover, making much of the habitat unsuitable. Site vegetation is more open and mesic with widely spaced trees growing between large boulders and forming a canopy at about 16 ft (5 m). The soil in the habitat is very shallow and mixed with stones. Seventy percent of the land is covered with volcanic rock outcrops.

Distribution

Wheeler's peperomia is endemic to Culebra Island, a mountainous tropical island about 25 mi (40 km) off the east coast of Puerto Rico. This species was first discovered in 1906 but was not collected again by botanists until 1980.

Most surviving plants are found on Monte Resaca within a 375 acre (152 hectare) unit of the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge. Several hundred plants may be present in an area of approximately 0.5 acres, and many more are scattered throughout a larger area. The majority of this site lies within the Culebra National Wildlife Refuge. Numerous seedlings have been observed. Although recently a population of Peperomia was found in Quebradillas, northwest Puerto Rico, it remains to be confirmed whether or not it is P. wheeleri.

Threats

Deforestation to support livestock grazing has contributed to the decline of Wheeler's peperomia. On several hundred acres of remaining forests, escaped domestic goats have removed much of the humus layer that is essential to this plant's survival.

Conservation and Recovery

Controlling feral animals is necessary if this plant is to survive. Some measures have already been taken to remove feral animals from within the refuge and several sites have been fenced, assuring protection for at least part of the peperomia population.

The species has been successfully grown by the New York Botanical Garden, suggesting that a cultivated stock could be established to support a transplantation effort. Rehabilitation of sections of degraded habitat to enable establishment of new populations, has been made a priority for recovery. A successful joint artificial propagation program with the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources has been established.

Contact

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Regional Office, Division of Endangered Species
1875 Century Blvd., Ste. 200
Atlanta, Georgia 30345
http://southeast.fws.gov/

References

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1987. "Determination of Endangered Status for Two Puerto Rican Plants: Peperomia wheeleri and Banara vanderbiltii. " Federal Register 52(9): 1459-1462.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1990. Recovery Plan for Wheeler's Peperomia." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta.

Vivaldi, J. L., and R. O. Woodbury. 1981. "Status Report on Peperomia wheeleri Britton." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.