Columnea Sections:
Stygnanthe
 

These species are characterized by slender herbs with narrow corolla tubes that are not bilabiate (the smaller flowered species of the Wiehler genus Pentadenia). A species that can characterize this section is Columnea byrsina.  This species has anisophyllous leaves as many species in this section do, but they do not reach the size of the leaves in section Collandra.  The corollas are relatively small compared to those in other sections and are not two-lipped as they are in section Columnea.  The slender stems and epiphytic habit round up the characteristics of this section.  

Columnea byrsina exhibits an unusual characteristic in the field.  When exposed to full sun the bright red flowers are easily visible adjacent to  the leaves when the plant is viewed from above.  However, if cloud cover threatens rain, the flowers will be found underneath the leaves and hidden.  This has been observed in the field, but to my knowledge no experimentation has been done in cultivation to determine whether it is the leaves or the flowers that move, what the mechanism for the movement is, or even the intensity of sunlight needed to cause the movement.

Additional Species: C. angustata, C. colombiana, C. spathulata, C. orientandina, C. ambigua

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