Ceratostema is a genus of shrubs or dwarf shrubs and lianas in the heather family (Ericaceae) native to tropical South America.
Description Vegetative characteristics Ceratostema are up to 3.5 m tall, terrestrial or epiphytic shrubs with petiolate, alternate, coriaceous leaves. Generative characteristics The axillary, solitary inflorescence bears pedicellate, inodorous, (4-)5(-6)-merous flowers.
Taxonomy It was described by Antoine Laurent de Jussieu in 1789. The type species is Ceratostema peruvianum Ceratostema Juss. (n.d.). International Plant Names Index. Retrieved December 28, 2025, from https://www.ipni.org/n/30006961-2 Within the subfamily Vaccinioideae it is placed in the tribe Vaccinieae.USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Plant Germplasm System. 2025. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN Taxonomy). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. URL: https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomygenus?id=2306. Accessed 28 December 2025. It is closely related to Semiramisia.Luteyn, J. L., & Pedraza-Peñalosa, P. (n.d.). Ceratostema. New York Botanical Garden. Retrieved December 28, 2025, from https://www.nybg.org/bsci/res/lut2/ceratostema.html Species Image Scientific name Distribution Ceratostema agettiorum Ecuador (Morona-Santiago) Ceratostema alatum Colombia, Ecuador Ceratostema alexportillae Ecuador Ceratostema amplexicaule Colombia, Ecuador Ceratostema auriculatum Ecuador (Zamora-Chinchipe) Ceratostema bracteolatum Ecuador (Azuay) Ceratostema callistum Peru Ceratostema calycinum Ecuador Ceratostema charianthum Ecuador Ceratostema cutucuense Ecuador (Morona-Santiago) Ceratostema doucettei Ecuador. Ceratostema fasciculatum Ecuador. Ceratostema ferreyrae Peru Ceratostema gearyana Ecuador Ceratostema glandipedicellata Ecuador Ceratostema glandulifera Venezuela. Ceratostema glans Ecuador (Morona-Santiago) Ceratostema guachizacae Ecuador Ceratostema gualaquizensis M.M.Jiménez & H.Garzón Ecuador (Morona-Santiago) Ceratostema ingridportillae Ecuador Ceratostema ivanportillae Ecuador Ceratostema jorgebritoi Ecuador (Morona-Santiago) Ceratostema josecaamanoi Ecuador Ceratostema kiatianum Ecuador Ceratostema lanceolatum Ecuador (Loja) Ceratostema lanigerum Ecuador. Ceratostema limonensis Ecuador. Ceratostema loranthiflorum Ecuador. Ceratostema loucianae Ecuador (Morona-Santiago) Ceratostema macbrydiorum Ecuador (Morona-Santiago) Ceratostema madisonii Ecuador (Morona-Santiago) Ceratostema megabracteatum Ecuador Ceratostema megalobum Ecuador (Loja) Ceratostema moronasantiagoensis Ecuador Ceratostema nodosum Ecuador Ceratostema nubigena Ecuador Ceratostema oellgaardii Ecuador (Loja) Ceratostema oyacachiensis Ecuador (Napo) Ceratostema pedunculatum Ecuador (Zamora-Chinchipe) Ceratostema pendens Ecuador (Morona-Santiago) Ceratostema pepeportillae Ecuador Ceratostema pensile Ecuador (El Oro) Ceratostema peruvianum Ecuador. Ceratostema prietoi Ecuador (Cañar) Ceratostema pubescens Ecuador (El Oro) Ceratostema portillae Ecuador Ceratostema rauhii Peru. Ceratostema reginaldii Ecuador Ceratostema revolutum Ecuador Ceratostema sieteiglesiana Ecuador (Morona-Santiago) Ceratostema silvicola Ecuador Ceratostema speciosum Ecuador. Ceratostema ventricosum Ecuador Ceratostema zamorana Ecuador (Zamora-Chinchipe)
Distribution and habitat Ceratostema is native to Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela.
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