Aetanthus nodosus

Native to Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, this is a vine in the Loranthaceae family. It is a hemiparasitic woody vine that grows in high-altitude Andean cloud forest. It belongs to the family Loranthaceae, commonly known as the mistletoe family. As an aerial parasite, it attaches to the branches of host trees using haustoria to extract water and nutrients while still photosynthesizing through its own leathery green leaves. This species is particularly notable for its spectacular floral display: hundreds of pendant tubular flowers in vibrant red and yellow emerge in dense clusters from the host tree canopy. Photographed in Ecuador.