Escallonia myrtilloides (Rodamonte)
Native to Costa Rica, Panama and the Andes from northwestern Venezuela to northwestern Argentina, this shrub or small tree occurs in high mountain forests and the lower pƔramo. Its dense foliage consists of small, alternate leaves with minute glands. Solitary, hanging flowers have a cup-like form, five green to greenish-cream petals and a thick, prominent stigma. The petals fall early, leaving the developing fruit exposed. Dry capsules eventually split open to release their seeds. Photographed in Colombia.