[2] The plant originates from montane cloud forests on the eastern side of the Andes in Bolivia and Argentina.

"[1] The stems of Begonia boliviensis spring from a tuberous root-stock, and attain a height of between 12 inches (300 mm) and 18 inches (460 mm); 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.

It has bright-orange, bell-shaped flowers covering the plant from late spring through summer, with serrated foliage accented by a red margin.

[5] Shortly after the plant's introduction to England, John Seden, the foreman at James Veitch & Sons of Chelsea, London, successfully crossed B. boliviensis and another Andean species, believed to be B. veitchii.