The stems of
Begonia boliviensis spring from a tuberous root-stock, and attain a height of between and ; the flowers, produced in pairs or threes on short stems in the angles of the obliquely
lanceolate leaves, are bright orange/pink in colour, composed of four pointed segments. The description in
Hortus Veitchii reads: "A very beautiful plant with drooping scarlet flowers, from Bolivia, sent by Richard Pearce, and of great interest as one of the original species from which the numerous garden varieties, so popular at the present day, have been derived." The
cultivar B. boliviensis 'Bonfire' is widely available commercially and can be used in containers, in hanging baskets and as a landscape plant. It has bright-orange, bell-shaped flowers covering the plant from late spring through summer, with serrated foliage accented by a red margin. It reaches tall. ==Hybridization==