Bomarea moritziana

Native from Venezuela to northeastern Ecuador, this perennial climbing herb belongs to the alstroemeria family. It grows from underground tubers and uses neighboring trees and shrubs for support. In Venezuela, it occurs in cloud forests and evergreen forests, often in moist places near streams. The red flowers open widely, with three outer tepals bearing small horn-like projections near their tips and three inner tepals marked with contrasting colors and spots. Its leaves are usually lance-shaped, with glossy undersides. The yellow fruits contain seeds with a fleshy yellow coating. Photographed in eastern Ecuador.