Peperomia argyreia

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Magnoliids
Ordo: Piperales

Familia: Piperaceae
Subfamilia: Piperoideae
Genus: Peperomia
Subgenus: P. subg. Multipalmata
Species: Peperomia argyreia
Name

Peperomia argyreia (Miq.) É.Morren, Belg. Hortic. 17: 2. 1867.
Synonyms

Basionym
Peperomia arifolia var. argyreia Hook.f., Bot. Mag. 93: t. 5634. 1867.
Homotypic
Peperomia argyraea Hott., Gard. Chron. 1865: 934. 1865.
Heterotypic
Peperomia sandersii C.DC., Prodr. 16(1): 400, 1869.

References

Morren, C.J.É. 1867. La Belgique Horticole 17 : 2.
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Peperomia argyreia in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 08-Apr-12.

Peperomia argyreia, the watermelon peperomia or watermelon begonia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Piperaceae, native to northern South America, including Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Venezuela. The plant is not closely related to either watermelons or begonias. These terms relate to the shape, markings and texture of the leaves. Growing to 20 cm (7.9 in) tall and broad, it is a perennial with asymmetrical oval green leaves, slightly fleshy, strikingly marked with curved silver stripes, and red stems. Tiny green flower spikes appear in summer.

The Latin specific epithet argyreia means “silvery”.[1]

This decorative plant is valued in cultivation, and in temperate areas is generally grown as a houseplant at a minimum temperature of 10 °C (50 °F), in bright light but not direct sun. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[2][3]
References

Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 184533731X.
"RHS Plantfinder - Peperomia argyreia ". Retrieved 18 April 2018.
"AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 75. Retrieved 23 April 2018.