Begonia cucullata is native to South America, growing from Bolivia to Brazil and northern Argentina. It is commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant, usually kept in pots. Traditionally, this plant has medicinal properties. In Paraguay, its sap is used to treat sore throats. Furthermore, the leaves and flowers are edible, both raw and cooked.

It typically grows wild in tropical rainforests in lowlands to mountains and on damp hilly slopes. It is found at elevations of 0-1,000 m above sea level. It is intolerant of low temperatures below 12°C and waterlogged conditions, but is tolerant of dry conditions. It prefers well-drained soil rich in organic matter and a pH of 5.5-6.5.

• The taproot is dirty white.

• The stem is reddish green, sparsely hairy when young, and hairy when mature.

• The leaves are single, arranged in a root rosette, asymmetrical, with almost rounded tips. The upper leaves are glossy, pale green, and hairy underneath, with serrated edges and palmate veins.

• The inflorescence is compound, panicle-shaped, with a stalk 80-90 cm long. The bract is single, thin, 5-6 cm long, 3-4 cm wide, and hairy. The stamens are divided into three pairs, with three wings: one wide and two short, and white to pink.

• The fruit is a capsule, 24-30 mm long, with three unequal wings.

• The seeds are round, small, and white.

Propagation is vegetative (leaf cuttings) and generative (seeds).

Treats wounds, warts, fever, cough, stomach ache, spleen swelling, toothache and gum pain, sore throat, hiccups, diarrhea, dysentery, malaria, has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, laxative and diuretic activity.

Flavonoids, phenolics, oxalic acid, and anthocyanins.