Pearcea (species unidentified)

Native to western South America, this genus of herbaceous plants belongs to the Gesneriaceae family. Its species grow mainly in shaded, humid forest understory, often near small streams. The stems may be upright or rest along the ground, and the opposite leaves are often hairy. Flowers develop in the upper leaf axils and vary from narrow tubes to inflated or two-lipped forms. Many species have red flowers, sometimes with yellow portions. Fleshy capsules open into two valves to expose a sticky mass of seeds. Photographed in Colombia.