Pehria compacta

A shrub or small tree native from Central America to Venezuela, it belongs to the Lythraceae family. It grows about five to twenty feet tall. The opposite leaves are narrow and pointed, and young stems, leaves and flowers often have a wine-red tint. Orange or black glandular dots occur on the stems, leaves and flowers. Loose flower clusters arise from the leaf axils near branch tips. The dark red flowers have four small petals and eight projecting stamens. Dry capsules open at maturity and remain enclosed by the persistent floral tube. The species occurs along rivers, roadsides and in grasslands. Photographed in the department of Santander, Colombia.