Three new species of Peperomia Ruiz and Pav. (Piperaceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Peperomia (Piperaceae) is a pantropical genus comprising approximately 1700 species, primarily found in the Neotropics. The species are rupicolous, epiphytic, or terrestrial herbs that inhabit humid areas and, occasionally rupestrian fields. In this study, three new species of Peperomia, namely P. ilheusensis, P. itaimbense, and P. mendanhensis, belonging to the subgenus Multipalmata, are described from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The descriptions include detailed information, illustrations, distribution maps, and an identification key to species of P. subgen. Multipalmata in Brazil.