Everything about Bougainvillea totally explained
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 encountered the plant in
Brazil in 1768 and first described it to Europeans.
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 that's easily left in the flesh of an unsuspecting victim. They are
evergreen where rainfall occurs all year, or
deciduous if there's 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,
India,
Taiwan,
Vietnam,
Malaysia,
the Philippines,
Australia, the
Mediterranean region, the
Caribbean,
Mexico,
Pakistan,
Panama,
South Africa, and the
United States in
Arizona,
California,
Florida,
Hawaii,
Louisiana, and southern
Texas,
France - Greece - Turkey - Italy - Netherlands.
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 won't flower and may lose leaves or wilt, or even die from root decay.
Because of the aggressive growth of hardened thorns and prolific branches, this plant is ideal as a natural barrier for security applications.
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
(External Link
); and of the cities of Tagbilaran,
Philippines;
Camarillo, California;
Laguna Niguel, California; and
San Clemente, California.
References and external links
Image:Bougainvillea close.jpg|Purple bougainvillea
Image:Bougainvillea-Flowers-KayEss-1.jpeg|Yellow bougainvillea
Image:Bougainvillea cm.jpg|Climbing bougainvillea
Image:Bougainvillea_San_Diego.jpg|Bougainvillea is a common sight along Interstate overpasses in San Diego, California
Image:九重葛 Dscf8137-11.jpg|九重葛
Image:九重葛 Dscf8149-22.jpg|九重葛
Image:九重葛 Dscf8152-24.jpg|九重葛
Image:Bougainvillea-3colors.jpg.jpg|Three colors of bougainvillea adorn a fence in Los Angeles
Further Information
Get more info on 'Bougainvillea'.
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