Peperomia circinnata Link and Peperomia rotundifolia (L.) Kunth growing on different host-trees in Amazon: volatiles and relationship with bryophytes

Abstract The essential oils of Peperomia circinnata and Peperomia rotundifolia growing on different host-trees were collected at two localities in the state of Para. The whole plants were submitted to hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The main compounds found in the oils of P. circinnata were myrcene (12.2%–31.2%) and β-phellandrene (17.5%–25.4%). The major components identified in the oils of P. rotundifolia were limonene (28.7%–35.0%) and decanal (22.8%–44.4%). Close relationships were noted between Peperomia and bryophytes. Two species of hepatics, Lejeunea trinitensis and Cheilolejeunea comans were recorded for the first time in the state of Para.