One may assume that a bougainvillea bloom is just a flower with multiple petals, but the fact is these are just modified bracts – the actual flower is the smaller one within the bracts. THE bougainvillea is a common ornamental vine renowned for its colourful paper-like flowers that can add vibrancy to a landscape. Native to South America, it has eventually found its way into other warm-climate areas across the globe.
Botanically, it belongs to the Nyctaginaceae family. It was discovered by French botanist Philibert Commerçon, who accompanied explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville in his voyage of circumnavigation in the 18th century (1766–1769). It is obvious for one to see where the bougainvillea got its name from.
There are several species that have been identified, with the popular ones being Bougainvillea glabra, Bougainvillea spectabilis and Bougainvillea peruviana. These have been extensively hybridised, resulting in a plethora of cultivars with varying colours and growth habits. My friend used to do grafting on the plant to produce the desired colour.
At one glance, one may assume that a bougainvillea bloom is just a flower with multiple petals, but the fact is these are just modified bracts – the actual flower is the smaller one within the bracts. Nonetheless, the bracts are the highlight. They come in a variety of colours – from magenta, purple, red and pink, to orange, yellow to off-white.
The clusters are really stunning, which is the reason why you can s.