Author: Jacquin
Morphological description (see also description of Genus Brownea )
Tree up to 16 m high; young branchlets densely brown hairy. Stipules conspicuous, very long, 7-16 cm long.
Leaves 2-14-jugate, the petiole and rachis (of lower ones) 25-45 cm. Leaflets ovate, ovate-oblong, oblong, or lanceolate, 2.5-19.5 by 1-6 cm, apex acuminate, base cordate, rounded or obtuse, glabrous or hairy on the midrib beneath (grandiceps Brownea compl 256034 ).
Inflorescences (grandiceps Brownea infl 386522; grandiceps Brownea infl 431656) during anthesis 14-18 cm in diameter, the peduncle and rachis 3-4.5 cm; bracteoles 2.25-3 cm long; pedicels 9-13 mm.
Flowers: Hypanthium 12-15 mm long. Calyx lobes 2-2.7 cm long. Petals 4.5-5.25 cm long; bright red. Stamens c. 6 cm; filaments united at the lower 12-15 mm. Ovary c. 10 mm long, the style 3-4.5 cm.
Pods 12-24 cm by 4.5-6 cm, densely shortly hairy.
Distribution
Native of Venezuela. Cultivated in Malay Peninsula and Java, and possibly elsewhere in Malesia.
Ecology
Flowering throughout the year, with intervals.