Macleania bullata

Native to Colombia and Ecuador, this shrub grows on the ground or on trees and can develop branches about ten feet long. It often arises from a swollen woody base known as a lignotuber. Long tubular flowers measure about one and a quarter to nearly two inches, with short spreading lobes at their tips. The species belongs to the blueberry family, Ericaceae. Long-billed hummingbirds pollinate its flowers, while some bees, butterflies and shorter-billed hummingbirds take nectar without pollinating them. Photographed in Colombia.