the plant grows beside streams in damp forests, or in ravines. the inflorescences are only produced by mature vines. each individual bloom resembles a stout-bodied butterfly with folded wings; they have evolved certain modifications to allow them to be pollinated by a species of bat that hangs upside down on the inflorescence to drink its nectar. the flowers are also visited by a species of wasp, and are home to a species of butterfly.