This dataset compiles photosynthetic temperature response curves. Measurements were collected from two tropical elevational common garden experiments originally planted with 15 native species in the Colombian Andes and 14 Afromontane species in the Albertine Rift in Rwanda. In Colombia, measurements were conducted at two experimental sites with contrasting mean annual temperatures (MAT) (13.7 °C and 22.1 °C), while in Rwanda measurements were collected at two sites with mean annual temperatures of 15.2 °C and 20.0 °C. Experimental sites have been named after their MAT. Measurement campaigns were conducted between January and February 2024 in Colombia and between January and February 2025 in Rwanda. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/62cfcf2f-f486-470d-9c1d-9f52f29855d7
