Genus of about 110 species of evergreen, perennial shrubs or vines from tropical regions worldwide. Flowering with coloured bracts throughout the year. Two large bright purple wings attached to a small bight red swollen centre with two yellow eyes perfectly mimick a butterfly. The flowers are 3 to 4 inches from "wing to wing" and last 4-5 weeks. The bract are pigmented with anthocyanins and attract special species of tropical bees, which collect a sticky substance from a gland and pollinate the female flower with pollen carried from tiny male flowers.