Eustephia armifera

Native to Peru, in the Cusco region, Eustephia armifera grows in inter-Andean valleys, in rocky, saxicolous habitats on the eastern slopes of the Andes. Like other species in the genus, it develops a dark-tunicked bulb from which linear leaves arise, along with a sturdy stem bearing, in late summer, pendent tubular flowers, red with green colouring toward the tip. In Quechua these flowers are called "para t'ika", or "rain flower", since their blooming traditionally signals the onset of the rainy season. A summer-growing plant, it requires a dry winter dormancy and well-drained soil in full sun.