Reference: LUTEYN, J. L., Plutarchia ecuadorensis (Ericaceae, Vaccinieae): A new species and a new generic record for Ecuador. Brittonia 44(2): 240--243 (1992).
Compact, terrestrial shrubs. Leaves alternate to opposite or subopposite, coriaceous, obscurely nerved, usually petiolate. Inflorescence axillary, fasciculate, 1--8-flowered, often surrounded at the base by few to many, small to 2 cm long bracts; floral bract small to large and showy. Flowers 4--5-merous, without odor; aestivation valvate; calyx articulate with the pedicel; hypanthium obprismatic and often abruptly contracted at the base, or terete to winged; limb erect, equal to hypanthium or 2--4 times longer, rarely shorter; lobes deltate or lanceolate-deltate, usually free to base of the limb, often proportionately long; corolla subcylindric, cylindric to urceolate-cylindric, terete or angled, the lobes small, triangular; stamen (5-) 8--10, equal or unequal, about as long as the corolla; filaments distinct, equal or alternately slightly enequal, dorsally attached to the anthers near their bases, lacking spurs, disintegration tissue absent; thecae slightly granular; tubules 2--4 times longer than the thecae, flexible, dehiscencing by elongate clefts; ovary inferior; style subequal to corolla. Fruit a berry.
The genus Plutarchia contains 11 species in (primarily) Colombia and Ecuador in high-elevation montane forest and páramo.