The so-called sun pitchers are almost restricted to a group of strange and ancient sandstone mountains in southern Venezuela. These mountains, up to 3000 m in height, are characterised by the almost vertical cliff faces which make them like islands in the surrounding savannah. Heliamphora mainly grows on the flat tops of these mountains. However, a number of species have also been found around those so-called Tepuis at intermediate altitudes. Only one species, Heliamphora heterodoxa is confirmed also to occur in swamps after surrounding savannah at only 1000 m altitude. All other species need much cooler climate.