Cavendishia callista

Native from southeastern Mexico through Central America to northern South America and northern Brazil, this evergreen shrub in the heath family grows in soil or on trees. It reaches about 5 to 13 feet tall and sometimes climbs; in very wet habitats, its stems can root at the joints. In Colombia, it is recorded from near sea level to about 4,600 feet. Its leaves have conspicuous veins, and flower clusters carry pink to deep rose bracts. The white tubular flowers are usually about three-quarters to 1¼ inches long, with small flared lobes edged in purple. Photographed in Florida.