Gmelina philippensis (Parrot’s Beak)

Native to tropical Asia, this thorny shrub can scramble or climb through surrounding vegetation. Opposite, thinly leathery leaves are green above and paler beneath. Hanging, cone-like flower clusters have overlapping pointed reddish to purple bracts. Long yellow flowers emerge between the bracts and are pollinated by insects. Yellow, fleshy fruits develop after flowering. The plant grows in thickets, forest gaps and other open habitats and is cultivated in tropical parks and gardens. It can be propagated from seed. Photographed in Colombia.