Shrub, to 4 m tall; branches appressed-puberulent. Stipules subulate, to 4 mm long, subpersistent; petioles to 5 mm long, canaliculate above; blades +/- elliptic, acuminate, acute and decurrent at base, mostly 10-15 (18) cm long and 3.5-5 (6) cm wide, glabrate above, puberulent below, glandular-crenate; veins prominent; flowers 5-parted, solitary, on short, bracteate, axillary branches, heterostylous; sepals ribbed, long-acuminate, to 1.5 cm long; petals orange, 2-3.5 cm long, blunt at apex, inserted near throat of hypanthium, widely spreading at anthesis, caducous; stamens 5; filaments either to 6 mm or to 12 mm long, their respective styles to 8 mm or to 5 mm long; stigmas numerous. Capsules 3-valved, ovoid, 6-13 mm long, minutely tuberculate, brown at maturity; seeds numerous, fewer than 10 per valve, +/- oblong-curved, puberulent, striate, subtended by an aril, the aril collar-shaped, displayed on valves of open capsule. Croat 7335. Frequent in the forest, especially in the old forest, and along the shore. Flowers and fruits sporadically throughout the year. Plants flower in a distinct synchronous wave if a period of drought is followed by a heavy rain (R. Foster, pers. comm.). Distinguished by the orange flowers and glandular-crenate leaves. Known only from Panama, from tropical moist forest in the Canal Zone and Panama.