Sanchezia speciosa is an evergreen shrub that grows in the shady understory of tropical forests. The large variegated leaves have defined yellow veins and grow in an alternating pattern on the stems. The splendid tubular yellow flowers emerge from red bracts which inspired the taxonomists to name Sanchezia speciosa after the Latin word speciosisus meaning beautiful or brilliant .

It is suggested that the leaves have special anticancer, antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties that can be beneficial to humans. In Thailand the root is also used to treat impotence and increase sexual desire.