Ryania speciosa

Ryania speciosa is a shrub or small tree native to tropical Central and South America. Simple alternate leaves form a leafy crown, and small pale flowers develop in clusters along the branches. The flowers have many stamens and are followed by dry capsules containing numerous seeds. The species grows primarily in wet tropical forest from lowlands into foothills and forms part of diverse understory and edge vegetation. Research-grade observations document it in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. Photographed in Colombia.