Hailing from the cloud forests of the Andes in western Colombia with a habitat between 6,000 and 10,000 feet, the Meriania nobilis is a striking presence in its native land. With beautiful, large purple to reddish flowers displayed year-round​ and large leather-like leaves. The tree can be seen in the President´s residents in Bogotá, Colombia. The climate in Bogotá is unique. The average high is 66 and the average low is 45, with only a few degrees of variation all year. Half the days of the year will have light rainfall totaling 33 inches per year. Even in the chilly air many tropical and sub tropical plants do well here. In the states this tree probably could only survive on the central coast of California where it does not get too hot and only occasionally freezes. Photographed in the western Andes of Colombia.