| Bougainvillea spectabilis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Nyctaginaceae |
| Genus: | Bougainvillea |
| Species: | B. spectabilis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Bougainvillea spectabilis | |
Bougainvillea spectabilis, also known as great bougainvillea,[1] is a species of flowering plant. It is native to Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina's Chubut Province.[2][3] It is widely grown as an ornamental plant.[3]
Bougainvillea spectabilis grows as a woody vine or shrub, reaching 15 to 40 feet (4.6 to 12.2 m)[4][5] with heart-shaped leaves and thorny, pubescent stems.[5] The flowers are generally small, white, and inconspicuous, highlighted by several brightly colored modified leaves called bracts. The bracts can vary in color, ranging from white, red, mauve, purple-red, or orange. Its fruit is a small, inconspicuous, dry, elongated achene.[3][5]
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Bougainvillea spectabilis is native to Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, and Chubut Province, Argentina, but it has been introduced in many other areas.[3]
Bougainvillea spectabilis can grow in hardiness zones 10-11, preferring full sun , dry conditions, and fertile soil.[5] It can be propagated from stem and root cuttings.[3]
The Yanadi tribe of Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, India, once used the leaves of Bougainvillea spectabilis to heal diabetes.
