Terrestrial shrub to 3 m tall;  mature stems terete, epidermis shedding in longitudinal strips to expose an inner reddish-brown bark;  twigs terete to subterete and bluntly angled, densely pilose with white trichomes to 1 mm long.  Leaves ovate to oblong-ovate, (2.5-)4-6(-8) x (1.5-)2.5-4(-4.5) cm, basally rounded and cordate, apically rounded or rarely obtuse, densely short-pilose on both surfaces becoming glabrous above with age;  5(-7)-plinerved from base with midrib and lateral nerves impressed above and conspicuously elevated beneath making leaves bullate, reticulate veinlets slightly raised but inconspicuous on both surfaces;  petioles subterete, flattened adaxially, densely pilose, 3-5 mm long and 2-3 mm in diam.  Inflorescence ca. 10-12-flowered;  rachis subterete, congested by overlapping nodes, densely short-pilose, 1-2 cm long;  floral bracts tightly appressed to flowers, concealing calyx and lower half of corolla, obovate, 9 x 8 mm, apically retuse, dorsally densely pilose, red when fresh;  pedicels terete and swollen distally, pilose, 2 mm long and 2-3 mm in diam.;  bracteoles keeled, clasping calyx, oblong, mucronate, 6-8 x 3 mm when flattened, dorsally densely pilose, marginally glandular-fimbriate.  Flowers:  calyx 4.8-6 mm long, pilose especially on limb and lobes;  hypanthium subcylindric-subpentagonal, 1.5-2 mm long, basally truncate;  limb cylindric, 3-4 mm long;  lobes triangular, acute-acuminate, 1-1.2 mm long, connivent after anthesis, marginally glandular-fimbriate;  sinuses rounded;  corolla tubular but slightly broadened towards base, pilose in upper 3/4 but glabrous in lower 1/4, 11-12 mm long and 5-6 mm in diam., white when fresh, the lobes deltoid, 0.8 mm long, slightly spreading at anthesis;  stamens 7.7-9 mm long;  filaments pilose distally along margins and on dorsal surface, alternately 1.7-2 mm and 3-3.8 mm long;  anthers alternately 6.3-7.8 mm and 6-6.5 mm long;  thecae 3 mm long;  style 11 mm long.  Berry not seen.

    Distribution (Map).  Endemic to Colombia and known only from the type locality, which was in heavily disturbed cloud forest, at 2438-2650 m.  Rare and endangered.