From Luther in J. Brom. Soc. 35(2): 77. 1985
This widespread species is native to wet forests from the Guianas to Peru and Bolivia. In the Andean regions it is restricted to the eastern (Amazonian) slopes usually at fairly low elevations. It can be characterized by a simple, ellipsoid inflorescence with broad red or orange floral bracts and bright yellow tubular flowers. In Ecuador the only species of similar form and coloration are G. fusispica Mez & Sodiro and G. bracteosa (Andre) Andre ex Mex both of which are native to the western slopes of the Andes. Cultivated specimens of G. melinonis are often labelled as G. berteroniana (native to Hispanola and Puerto Rico) or G. erythrolepis (Panama and the Greater Antilles). Most of the cultivated plants originated in Amazonian Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. Figure 10 shows a plant from Napo Province, Ecuador, which flowered at Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota, Florida. —SeeSmith & Downs 1977
