Cavendishia Bracteata

Cavendishia bracteata comes from mountainous areas from Mexico to South America. It's usually found growing as an epiphyte on trees, but it adapts well to soil. It forms a large, caudex-like root crown, and arching, woody branches that grow 10 feet long, unless pruned shorter. Its big, evergreen leaves are very attractive - they are thick, glossy and about 6 inches long. The plant looks great without blooms, but it's in bloom most months of the year here in San Francisco. Each flower cluster has dense rows of glossy, inch-long blooms, and are accented by large, flaring bracts. These large floral displays are pollinated by hummingbirds. The plant makes attractive, edible fruit which looks like purple blueberries. They are lightly sweet & tart, and are reportedly high in antioxidants.