Meriania fantastica is a small tree native to the Andean cloud forests of Colombia. It inhabits high-altitude montane environments at elevations ranging from 7,200 to 9,850 feet. The plant is noted for its striking, campanulate (bell-shaped) flowers that grow in terminal clusters. Each bloom features five thick, waxy petals that display a vibrant transition of colors, typically appearing as a saturated orange-red or deep vermilion. The internal structure of the flower is particularly complex, characterized by ten prominent stamens. These stamens are dimorphic, meaning they occur in two distinct sizes, and are topped with deep purple or violet-blue anthers. A sharp contrast is provided by the bright yellow, hook-like appendages at the base of the anthers, which curve toward the center of the corolla.

This species is categorized as rare and is currently listed as endangered due to its highly restricted geographic range and the ongoing loss of its specialized cloud forest habitat. One of its most unusual characteristics is the mechanical complexity of its petals, which are structured to remain robust and hold their shape even in the high humidity and frequent rainfall of the Andean peaks. The wood of this species is extremely dense. Meriania fantastica is distinguished by the specific neon-like intensity of its bicolored stamens against the fiery hue of the petals. Photographed in the department of Putumayo, Colombia.