This plant was discovered in the early 1800’s in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil and has been the subject of controversy ever since. Several world authorities accept the name (Royal Horticultural Society and the US Dept. of Agriculture among others) while an equal number do not. A search of the internet gives a confusion of information indicating that its natural habitat is Eastern Bolivia, Baha State, Minas Gerais State and Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil and several wild collections have been made in those Brazilian states as late as 2012. However, Brazil doesn’t recognise that name and says ‘imbe’ is the native name for a vine. The botanists need to sort the problem out, I can’t.

Information gleaned for this plant is that it is rare, slow growing and is from the Atlantic Forests of Brazil. Growth is vine-like to a mature height of 2 to 4 meters (8 – 10 ft), leaves are to 40 cm (16 in) long, evergreen, glossy, mid-green and alternate, and it prefers light shade. If grown outside it should be grown in a protected position where the temperature does not go below 4.5 degrees C (40°F) and the soil, sandy loam of neutral pH.