This plant originates in the Andean biogeographic regions of Colombia,  Ecuador, and Venezuela, flourishing at elevations ranging from about 8,200 to 12,800 feet above sea level. It primarily grows as a scrambling shrub in its native habitat within the subtropical biome. This species is recognized for its distinctive inflated, slipper-like corollas that are bright yellow, each bloom measuring about 0.4 to 0.6 inches across, with the upper lip much smaller than the lower pouch, a shape that aids in attracting and guiding pollinators such as small bees. The flowers occur in terminal clusters, sometimes numbering over a dozen per stem, and have fine glandular hairs along the pedicels and calyces. Photographed in the eastern Andes mountain range of Colombia.