Terrestrial shrub 1-1.5 m tall;  mature stems subterete, smooth, nitid, glabrous;  bark gray;  twigs subterete, bluntly angled, striate, reddish-brown when dry, densely short-pilose with white hairs.  Leaves succulent when fresh, imbricate, somewhat clasping, ovate to oblong-ovate, 2-3 x 1.5-2 cm, basally rounded and cordate, apically narrowly rounded or obtuse, marginally thickened, ciliate, dark green with red margins when fresh;  weakly 5(-7)-plinerved with lateral nerves arising from base, midrib slightly impressed above and raised beneath, lateral nerves slightly raised on both surfaces, reticulate veinlets obscure above but very conspicuous beneath when dry;  petiole subterete, channeled adaxially, 1.5-2 mm long and in diam., densely short-pilose.  Inflorescence composed of a single axillary flower enveloped by a series of ca. 23 persistent bracts;  rachis none;  the first 10 inflorescence (sterile) bracts broadly ovate and 1-5 x 2-5 mm, the second 10-11 bracts (floral bracts) oblong and 11-26 x 9-12 mm, the inner two bracts located at base of pedicel (bracteoles) also oblong ca. 28 x 9-10 mm, all bracts marginally glandular-fimbriate, dull red when fresh;  pedicel ca. 0.5 mm long and 3 mm in diam., glabrous.  Flowers:  calyx glabrous, 5-6 mm long;  hypanthium campanulate, smooth, 4-4.5 mm long, basally truncate, pale yellowish-green when fresh;  limb campanulate, smooth, 2-2.5 mm long, yellowish-green but suffused with pink when fresh;  lobes triangular, acute, 1.5 mm long, somewhat connivent after anthesis, marginally densely glandular-fimbriate, these fimbriae sometimes partially fused at their bases;  sinuses acute;  corolla cylindric, slightly zygomorphic being curved distally, glabrous, 30 mm long and 6-7 mm in diam., dull red, lobes oblong, acute, 2 mm long, yellowish-white when fresh;  stamens 22-23 mm long;  filaments pilose along the margins and ventrally the distal half, alternately ca. 3 mm and 5 mm long;  anthers alternately ca. 20 mm and 18 mm long;  thecae ca. 7 mm and 6 mm long;  style 29 mm long.  Mature berry not seen.

    Distribution (Map).  Endemic to Colombia and known only from the type collection.  Rare and endangered.