​🇪🇨 Habitat and Ecology
​Ceratostema guachizacae is a recently described epiphytic shrub endemic to southeastern Ecuador. It is known specifically from montane wet forests in the Zamora Chinchipe province, at elevations around 1800 metres. In its natural habitat, it grows epiphytically with spreading to hanging branches.
​🌸 Description and Distinguishing Features
​This species is a striking member of the Ericaceae family, sought after by collectors for its unique foliage form and brilliant pendulous flowers.
​Habit: It forms an epiphytic shrub. The lateral branches are smooth, glabrous (hairless), and range from purple to green in colour, growing in a patent (spreading) to subpendulous (somewhat hanging) manner.
​Foliage: The foliage is distinctively elegant. The leaves are coriaceous (leathery), glossy green to dark green, and arranged in loose spirals. A defining feature is the shape of the leaf blades: they are lorate-lanceolate (strap-shaped to lance-shaped) and notably very narrow, measuring 8-13 cm long by only 0.7-1 cm wide.
​Inflorescence: The inflorescences are terminal racemes located on lateral branches, typically carrying about 5 flowers on purple peduncles (stalks).
​Flowers: The flowers are pendulous (hanging) and highly attractive.
​Calyx & Pedicel: The flower stalks (pedicels) are 25-35 mm long and purple, leading to a calyx that is also purple at the base and on the lobes.
​Corolla: The stunning corolla is fleshy, cylindric, and measures 26-35 mm long. It is a vibrant carnation-pink to fuchsia colour. The narrow lobes at the tip spread outwards and are purple-black to black within, creating a beautiful contrast with the white staminal tube inside.
​🔬 Taxonomy and Ethnobotany
​Taxonomy: Officially described by Cornejo & Luteyn, this species is distinguished from similar members of the genus by its combination of numerous flowers and specifically its very narrow, strap-like leaf blades.
​Etymology: The specific epithet honours Gerardo Guachizaca, who assisted in the field discovery of this species.
​💧 Cultivation and Care
​Hailing from wet montane forests at 1800 metres elevation, Ceratostema guachizacae is a specialized plant ideally suited for cool cloud forest terrariums or intermediate-to-cool greenhouses.
​Light: Bright, indirect light. Avoid harsh direct sun which may scorch the leathery foliage.
​Substrate: As a true epiphyte, roots require continuous airflow and excellent drainage. A dense, soggy medium is fatal. Use a loose, airy mix typical for Andean epiphytes (e.g., high quality long-fiber sphagnum moss mixed with perlite and fine bark).
​Watering: Keep the substrate consistently moist, mimicking its wet forest origin. Never allow it to dry out completely. Use pure water (rainwater, RO, or distilled) as it is sensitive to dissolved minerals.
​Temperature & Humidity: Based on its elevation of 1800m, this species requires cool-to-intermediate conditions with a distinct drop in temperature at night.
​Daytime: Aim for approximately 18-24 C (64-75 F).
​Night time: Drop temperatures to approximately 12-17 C (53-62 F).
​Humidity: Very high humidity (ideally over 70-80%) is essential for long-term success.
​✨ Unique Features
​For the collector, the defining characteristic of Ceratostema guachizacae is the exquisite contrast between its fuchsia-pink, tubular flowers with their unique black inner lobes, and its distinctively narrow, leathery, strap-like foliage.
​🏷️ Specifications
​Plant Size: propagations from our stock plant produced in the UK
Plant Family: Ericaceae
Plant Passport: A Ceratostema guachizacae B 140084 C [buyer to use number of the plant label] D GB