Piper cf. terrabanum

This pepper originates from Costa Rica and grows as a small shrub, about 1.5 to 2 meters tall. It only grows in very shady spots in the undergrowth and is generally very slow-growing.

The leaves are pointed, drooping, and grow to about 15 cm long and 5 cm wide. They have prominent veins and are dark green and highly glossy on the upper surface. This sheen gives the plant its spectacular shimmer, which is particularly noticeable in diffused light. Unlike iridescent plants, such as Selaginella or Begonias, the blue sheen here does not originate from the leaves themselves but only from reflected ambient light. The base color of the leaves is a rich, dark green, and they appear blue only due to reflection. Therefore, this Piper is not included in our category for iridescent plants .

The older stems become woody and develop a pattern of small, yellow dots. The flower clusters are about 2 to 3 cm long and drooping.

The exact identity of this plant is unknown. It shows some affinity to Piper terrabanum , Piper diquusanum , and Piper playa-blancanum , but does not exactly match any of them. It could also be a previously undescribed species, distinguished from the others primarily by its small, drooping inflorescences and spotted stems.

This species has most likely never been offered for sale anywhere before. So this is your chance to be one of the very first to cultivate a new plant species.

You will receive a young plant approximately 15 to 30cm tall in a 9cm pot.



Please note: Piper species are very sensitive to temperature. The plants will only be shipped again in styrofoam boxes with heat packs once nighttime temperatures are consistently between 12 and 15 °C. This may not be until the end of February or even March. Until then, paid plants will remain in our greenhouse and are reserved for you. Orders containing Piper species will NOT be split into partial shipments. If you have any questions, please contact us by email at webshop@jungle-leaves.de.