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 Bougainvillea spectabilis
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Bougainvillea 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 name comes from Louis Antoine de Bougainville, an admiral in the French Navy who discovered the plant in Brazil in 1768.
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. Also, the "Bougainvillea Dropper", a species of North American rat known for dropping teeth-first onto larger, unsuspecting prey, will nest in mature, overhanging examples of the plant. The Dropper does not feed on the bougainvillea, as it is carnivorous. The Dropper can be found mainly in the southwest United States, and uses the bougainvilleas' thorns as protection from other, larger rodents.
Cultivation and uses
Bougainvilleas are popular ornamental plants in most areas with warm climates, including India, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Australia, the Mediterranean region, the Caribbean, Mexico, South Africa, and the United States in Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, 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; and San Clemente, California.
References and external links
picture: Bougainvillae Flower Close-up
- Germplasm Resources Information Network: Bougainvillea
- Bougainvillea spinosa in Argentina (in Spanish)
- Flora Brasiliensis: Bougainvillea (in Portuguese)
 Purple bougainvillea |
 Yellow bougainvillea |
 Bougainvillea is a common sight along Interstate overpasses in San Diego, California |
 九重葛 |
 九重葛 |
 九重葛 |
 Three colors of bougainvillea adorn a fence in Los Angeles |
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 19 November 2008, at 21:37.
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