Heteropterys glabra is native to South America and belongs to the Malpighiaceae, a family better known in tropical gardens than temperate ones. In practice it behaves like a vigorous, woody vine or scrambling shrub, growing 7 to 15 feet and needing the support of a fence, arbor, or neighboring shrub to show itself to best advantage. Left without support it mounds untidily, which is not its best self. The foliage emerges as deep burgundy before maturing to a glossy green, so the plant offers a sequence of interest from the moment it breaks dormancy.

Gold flowers appear in early summer and are quickly followed by red fruits — and then the cycle continues, with flowers and fruit appearing together well into fall. Plant in full sun in moist, well-drained soil for the strongest floral and fruit display, though it will tolerate some shade and is reasonably drought resistant once established. Young plants may die back to the ground in their first winter or two; this is normal behavior, not failure. Once the root system matures, the stems remain evergreen through all but the harshest cold. For zones 7 through 10 it is an underused climber with genuine seasonal range.