Shrubs to 3 m tall; stems glabrous. Leaves ovate to elliptic, to 20 cm long, 9 cm wide, apically acuminate, basally attenuate, glabrous, purplish or green, variously marked with yellow, the margins entire; petioles short. Inflorescences in terminal racemes, the rachis glabrous or sparingly puberulous; corollas dark purple or crimson, glabrous outside, glandular puberulous inside, to ca. 8 cm long, 1.5 cm broad at the mouth; stamens 2, exserted, staminodes 2. Capsule clavate; seeds 2-4.
Red-purple tubular flowers 1-11/2 in. long in narrow panicles
Variegated leaves, often copper-coloured (see note below)
Planted in gardens as an ornamental.
A glabrous shrub