Epiphytic shrub, from lignotuber; stems subterete, smooth, nitid, grayish- to reddish-brown when dry, glabrous;  twigs subterete, complanate, minutely striate, densely pilose-hirsute with unicellular white hairs to 1.2 mm long.  Leaves coriaceous, bullate, blade narrowly ovate to lanceolate, 12-20 x 3-5.5 cm, apex long-acuminate, base broadly and deeply cordate, auriculate with lobes well separated, amplexicaul, margins entire, surfaces wekaly hirsute along veins;  pinnate, with 1 or 2 lateral veins per side but these anastomosing near base to form reticulate pattern throughout, midrib and lateral veins usually conspicuously impressed above and raised beneath, veinlets slightly raised on both surfaces;  petiole 3-5 mm long, subterete, flattened abaxially, rugose, hirsute.  Inflorescence solitary, axillary, racemose, all portions hirsute with unicellular white hairs, 3- or 4-flowered, flowers clustered distally;  rachis 2-2.5 cm long, terete, striate;  floral bracts narrowly lanceolate, long-acuminate, 4-5 mm long;  pedicels 3.5-4.5 cm long, subterete, striate;  bracteoles basal, 1.5-3 mm long, aristate.  Flowers with calyx conspicuously articulate with pedicel, 6.57 mm long;  hypanthium subcylindrical, ca. 4 mm long, 10-costate;  limb campanulate, ca. 2.5-3 mm long including lobes;  lobes triangular, acute, ca. 2 mm long;  sinuses acute;  corolla subcylindrical, basally swollen, 43-45 mm long, the tube red when fresh, the lobes narrowly triangular, long-acuminate, 15-17 mm long, purple when fresh;  stamens 10, equal, ca. 40 mm long;  filaments distinct, ca. 6 mm long;  anthers ca. 35 mm long;  thecae 11-12 mm long, strongly papillose, dehiscence by subterminal, oblique clefts ca. 1 mm long;  tubules thin;  style equaling corolla, ca. 43-45 mm long.  Fruits not seen.

    Distribution.  Endemic to Peru and known only from the type collection.  Rare and endangered.

    Cultivated:  possibly E (determination not certain).