Twining lianas, older stems ridged with cork. Leaves alternate, cordate, apex acute to acuminate, membranous, 5 to 20 cm. broad, 7 to 30 cm. long, densely pilose to velutinous becoming nearly glabrous on upper surface. Pseudostipules absent. Flowers immediately subtended by an acuminate foliaceous bracteole, borne on young stems, axillary, solitary, ca. 3 m. long, the color white blotched with purple, pilose, the utricle broadly gibbous-clavate, ca. 45 cm. long, the tube sharply reflexed on the utricle, ca. 40 cm. long, the limb obliquely salverform, terminating in a filiform extension from the medial lower edge, the odor of "old tobacco". Fruit ovate-cylindric, 10 cm. long, 4 to 6 cm. wide, dehiscing acrop-etally. Seeds numerous, horizontally compressed, 1 cm. diameter, 3 mm. thick.
Along streams and in secondary-growth thickets. Usually in wet thickets, often on steam banks, common in secondary growth, at elevations up to 600 metres in Guatemala.
Can be grown by cuttings or seedlings. Seeds needs soaking.
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