Monkey’s-hand (Piper peltatum, Sp. Pl.: 30 (1753))

Family: Piperaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 30 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Piper

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico to Trop. America

Description

Monkey’s-hand, scientifically known as Piper peltatum, is a fascinating plant species that belongs to the Piperaceae family. This unique plant was first described in the seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the author Carl Linnaeus, often abbreviated as L.

Piper peltatum is indigenous to various regions ranging from Mexico through Central America and extending into tropical areas of South America. Its presence in such a wide geographical expanse underscores its adaptability to different tropical environments.

Characterized by its notable foliage, the leaves of the Monkey’s-hand plant bear a resemblance to the open palm of a monkey, which likely inspired its common name. These broad, peltate leaves are distinctive and contribute to the plant’s overall appeal both in its native habitat and in cultivated settings.

Piper peltatum thrives in humid, tropical climates and is often found in the understory of forests, where it benefits from the warm temperatures and ample rainfall. The plant’s preference for such environments makes it an excellent indicator of ecological health in these regions.

Overall, Monkey’s-hand is not just a botanical specimen of interest; it plays a role in the ecosystems where it is native, contributing to the diversity and complexity of tropical flora. Its unique appearance and adaptability further highlight the incredible variety found within the Piperaceae family.

Common Names

Spa: santa maría, cordoncillo
Por: caapeba, capeba, capeba-branca
En: Monkey’s-Hand, Monkey’s hand
Pt: Caapeba, Capeba branca, Capeba, Capeba-branca
Es: Santa María, Cordoncillo, Baquiña, Belladona, Hoja de Estrella, Pañuelitos de Pesebre, Pata de Vaca, Santamaría

Synonyms

• Piper peltatum var. hirtellum (C.DC.)
• Piper scutiphyllum (Ham.)
• Peperidia peltata ((L.) Kostel.)
• Peperomia scutata (A.Dietr.)
• Piper ottonis ((Miq.) C.DC.)
• Piper speciosum (Kunth)
• Pothomorphe peltata var. hypoleuca (Trel.)
• Piper pruinosum (Kunth)
• Pothomorphe almirantensis (Trel.)
• Pothomorphe speciosa ((Kunth) Miq.)
• Pothomorphe baileyorum (Trel.)
• Lepianthes peltata ((L.) Raf. ex R.A.Howard)
• Pothomorphe lessertiana (Miq.)
• Pothomorphe peltata ((L.) Miq.)
• Pothomorphe ottonis (Miq.)
• Piper gemellum (Willd. ex Link)
• Pothomorphe scutata (Miq.)
• Pothomorphe pruinosa (Miq.)
• Peperomia speciosa ((Kunth) Kunth)
• Peperomia pruinosa (Kunth)
• Pothomorphe hirsuta (Bartl.)
• Pothomorphe peltata var. colombiana ((C.DC.) Trel. & Yunck.)
• Pothomorphe tecumensis var. grandis (Trel.)
• Piper peltatum var. colombianum (C.DC.)
• Pothomorphe tecumensis (Trel.)
• Heckeria scutata ((Willd. ex A.Dietr.) Kunth)
• Pothomorphe baileyorum var. paucispica (Trel.)
• Heckeria peltata ((L.) Kunth)
• Heckeria speciosa ((Kunth) Kunth)
• Piper scutatum (Willd. ex A.Dietr.)

Distribution

• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Southwest Caribbean (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Galápagos (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 20, 2022 by Walter Diaz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 20, 2022 by Walter Diaz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2021 by Maria Laura Pizarro (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 16, 2022 by Gladys Durán (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2003 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2003 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-nc)

Bark

Taken May 31, 2021 by Maria Laura Pizarro (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2021 by Maria Laura Pizarro (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 28, 2020 by Hélio Hélio Eduardo Lucas (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2021 by Maria Laura Pizarro (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3086365)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:316334-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Piper peltatum L.)

Specifications

Growth