Vallea stipularis

Native to the Andes from Venezuela to northwestern Argentina, this evergreen shrub or tree belongs to the Elaeocarpaceae family. Its heart-shaped to pear-shaped leaves are darker above and paler beneath. Clusters of pinkish-red to crimson, bell-shaped flowers have lobed petals and numerous stamens. They are followed by rounded, rough-surfaced capsules that split open when mature. In Colombia it occurs at about 6,500–14,100 feet, including montane forest margins and páramo vegetation. Photographed in the eastern Andes mountain range of Colombia.