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bougainvillea
Scientific Name: Bougainvillea
Family: Nyctaginaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Bougainvillea: A Vibrant Tropical Beauty
Bougainvillea (pronounced /?bu???n?v?li?/ or /?bo???n?v?li?/) is a genus of ornamental vines, bushes, and trees known for their vibrant, flower-like spring leaves (bracts) that surround their true flowers.
Considerations for Pets
- Bougainvillea are thorny ornamental vines, bushes, and trees.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Bougainvillea spp.
- Family: Nyctaginaceae (Four O'Clock Family)
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to tropical South America, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia.
- Found in the biome of the Amazon rainforest in South America (Longitudes 35 West to 65 West).
- Widely cultivated in warm climates worldwide.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Evergreen shrubby vines that can grow up to 30 feet, depending on the variety.
- Known for their colorful bracts that come in various shades. The actual flowers are small and white.
- Hardy tropical vines suitable for warm climates. Some species can tolerate light frosts.
Cultivation
- Thrives in warm greenhouses and conservatory borders during the summer.
- Can be grown in the UK with a fantastic flowering season, starting as early as March and sometimes lasting until December in Sussex nurseries.
- Requires light, well-drained soil and a sunny location.
- South American bougainvillea may need to be grown in a heated conservatory border or large pot to restrict root growth in cooler climates.
- Benefits from heavy pruning and fertilizer low in nitrogen.
Quirky Facts
- Admiral Louis de Bougainville discovered the vine that now bears his name in 1768 during his journey to the Pacific Ocean.
Further Information
- The Eden Project in Cornwall features bougainvillea among its thousands of plant species.