Dioclea — lilac flowers (species unidentified)

Native from southeastern Mexico through tropical South America and Trinidad, this genus includes woody climbers and sprawling shrubs in the pea family. Leaves have three leaflets, and upright clusters bear mostly purple, pea-shaped flowers. Flattened, woody pods twist open at maturity to scatter their hard seeds. These plants grow along forest edges, while some form low shrubs in open vegetation. Photographed in Colombia.