Bougainvillea

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{{Taxobox | color = lightgreen | name = Bougainvillea | image = Postcard-ca-los-angeles-bouganvillea.jpg | image_width = 200px | regnum = Plantae | divisio = Magnoliophyta | classis = Magnoliopsida | ordo = Caryophyllales | familia = Nyctaginaceae | genus = Bougainvillea | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision =

Bougainvillea buttiana
Bougainvillea glabra
Bougainvillea peruviana
Bougainvillea spectabilis

}} Bougainvillea is a flowering plant genus comprising four thorny, woody, flowering vine species native to the Amazon Rainforest of South America. Its name comes from Louis Antoine de Bougainville, an admiral in the French Navy who discovered the plant in Brazil in 1768.

Bougainvillea are popular plants in California, south Texas, Florida, the Caribbean, South Africa, and other areas with warm climates. 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 are sometimes referred to as paper flowers because the bracts are thin and papery.

Bougainvillea are rapid growing and flower all year in warm climates, especially when pinched or pruned. 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. If overwatered, Bougainvillea will not flower and may lose leaves or wilt. 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 including Giant Leopard Moth.

There are numerous Bougainvillea varieties and hybrids, including nearly thornless shrubs. Bougainvillea are sterile and are propagated from cuttings.