bougainvillea

Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea spectabilis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Nyctaginaceae
Genus:	Bougainvillea
Species
Bougainvillea buttiana Bougainvillea glabra Bougainvillea peruviana Bougainvillea spectabilis Bougainvillea spinosa

Bougainvillea (pronounced /ˌbuːɡɨnˈvɪliə/)^[1] is a genus of flowering plants native to South America from Brazil west to Peru and south to southern Argentina (Chubut Province). Different authors accept between four and 18 species in the genus. The plant was discovered in Brazil in 1768, by Philibert Commerçon, French Botanist accompanying French Navy admiral and explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville during his voyage of circumnavigation.

They are thorny, woody vines growing anywhere from 1-12 meters tall, scrambling over other plants with their hooked thorns. The thorns are tipped with a black, waxy substance. They are evergreen where rainfall occurs all year, or deciduous if there is a dry season. The leaves are alternate, simple ovate-acuminate, 4-13 cm long and 2-6 cm broad. The actual flower of the plant is small and generally white, but each cluster of three flowers is surrounded by three or six bracts with the bright colors associated with the plant, including pink, magenta, purple, red, orange, white, or yellow. Bougainvillea glabra is sometimes referred to as "paper flower" because the bracts are thin and papery. The fruit is a narrow five-lobed achene.

Bougainvillea are relatively pest-free plants, but may suffer from worms and aphids. The larvae of some Lepidoptera species also use them as food plants, for example the Giant Leopard Moth.

Cultivation and uses

Bougainvilleas are popular ornamental plants in most areas with warm climates, including Indonesia, Aruba, the Philippines, Thailand, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, the Mediterranean region, the Caribbean, Mexico, South Africa, Kuwait,and the United States in Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, South Carolina, and southern Texas.

Numerous cultivars and hybrids have been selected, including nearly thornless shrubs. Some Bougainvillea cultivars are sterile, and are propagated from cuttings.

Bougainvillea are rapid growing and flower all year in warm climates, especially when pinched or pruned. They grow best in moist fertile soil. Bloom cycles are typically four to six weeks. Bougainvillea grow best in very bright full sun and with frequent fertilization, but the plant requires little water to flower. As indoor houseplants in temperate regions, they can be kept small by bonsai techniques. If overwatered, Bougainvillea will not flower and may lose leaves or wilt, or even die from root decay.

Symbolism

Various species of Bougainvillea are the official flowers of the island of Grenada, the island of Guam, of Lienchiang and Pingtung Counties in Taiwan, Ipoh, Malaysia[1] and of the cities of Tagbilaran, Philippines; Camarillo, California; Laguna Niguel, California; San Clemente, California; and Naha, Okinawa.

Gallery

Red Bougainvillea in Malaysia	Purple bougainvilleas in Taormina	Purple bougainvilleas in Taormina	Bougainvillea spectabilis
Purple bougainvillea	Yellow bougainvillea	As seen in Tel Aviv, Israel	Bougainvillea is a common sight along Interstate overpasses in San Diego, California
Purple bougainvilleas in Taormina
Three colors of bougainvillea adorn a fence in Los Angeles	Purple Baugainvillea, Kolkata India	Purple bougainvilleas in Cameron Highlands.	In Veracruz, Mexico.

Gallery 2

References

External links

• Germplasm Resources Information Network: Bougainvillea
• Tropicals and Exotics: Bougainvillea in Open Directory Project

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