Columnea dielsii

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  • Photographer: John L. Clark
  • Grown by: nature in Ecuador

Images copyright by the individual photographers or their institutions.


The genus Columnea is almost universally characterized by fleshy indehiscent fruit — berries that do not split open (dehisc) when ripe. If not eaten by birds or insects, the berries soften, rot and eventually dry up. The exception is this species, where the fleshy fruit splits open and displays the seed mass in a colorful fashion. This phenomenon occurs in a number of other genera, including Drymonia.

Another closer view of the fruit can be seen here, and a flower here.