Bignonia corymbosa

Native from Honduras to Bolivia and Brazil, and to Trinidad, Tobago, and the Windward Islands, this perennial woody vine climbs by simple tendrils and can reach the forest canopy. In Colombia, it occurs from sea level to about 3,300 feet. Its pink to lilac trumpet-shaped flowers have pale tubes with darker purple markings. Each flower emerges from a distinctive sheath-like calyx split along one side. Long seed capsules open to release two-winged seeds. It has been introduced to Puerto Rico and several other Caribbean islands. Photographed on the Caribbean coast of Colombia.