A row of Megaskepasma erythrochlamys shrubs bearing bright red bract clusters

Megaskepasma erythrochlamys (Brazilian red cloak)

Native to Venezuela and Suriname, this plant is a robust evergreen shrub of wet tropical regions. Large reddish-purple bracts surround white flowers that become pale pink. Each flower has a hooded upper lip, a twisted, downward-curving lower lip and two projecting stamens. Introduced plants can spread from stem fragments: at Las Tangaras Reserve near Mindo, Ecuador, it has advanced from planted beds into forest and displaced native vegetation. Photographed in the central Andes mountain range of Colombia.

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Two hairy white Megaskepasma erythrochlamys flowers with curved styles and pale yellow anthers emerging from red bracts

A close-up of a single tubular pink flower of Megaskepasma erythrochlamys emerging from red bracts, with a prominent curved style and yellow-tipped anthers extending outward

A Megaskepasma erythrochlamys inflorescence with red bracts

Hairy white Megaskepasma erythrochlamys flower with red bracts

A white Megaskepasma erythrochlamys flower with red bracts

Megaskepasma erythrochlamys shrub covered with upright red bract clusters and large, strongly veined leaves

Megaskepasma erythrochlamys shrubs bearing numerous red bract clusters among broad leaves

Megaskepasma erythrochlamys has upright crimson spikes surrounded by broad green leaves

Numerous upright red Megaskepasma erythrochlamys flower spikes rise above green shrubs

A narrow white Megaskepasma erythrochlamys flower extends from bright red bracts