BOUGAINVILLEA

Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea) genus of about 14 species of shrubs, vines, or small trees, in the four-o'clock family (Nyctaginaceae), native to South America. Many species are spiny. Only the woody vines have attained wide popularity; several species have produced very showy cultivated varieties often grown indoors and in conservatories. The inconspicuous flowers are surrounded by brightly coloured papery bracts, for which one species, B. glabra, from Brazil, is called paperflower; the bracts are purple or magenta to lighter tints in certain varieties. B. peruviana, from Colombia to Peru, has rose to magenta bracts. B. buttiana, a probable hybrid of B. glabra and B. peruviana, has given rise to varieties having lemon yellow (Golden Glow), orange (Louis Wathen), and crimson (Mrs. Butt) bracts. Bougainvilleas are hardy in warm climates.