Family: Nyctaginaceae
Author: Choisy
Bibliography: A.P.de Candolle, Prodr. 13(2): 437 (1849)
Year: 1849
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Bougainvillea
Vegetable: False
Observations: E. & S. Brazil
Description
Bougainvillea glabra, commonly known as the Paper-flower, is a vibrant climber that belongs to the family Nyctaginaceae. Native to Eastern and Southern Brazil, this plant was meticulously described by the eminent botanist Choisy in the mid-19th century, specifically in 1849, as documented in A.P. de Candolle’s “Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis”.
The Paper-flower is celebrated for its striking appearance and adaptability, making it a popular choice for gardeners and landscape designers worldwide. The plant is renowned for its thin, paper-like bracts that surround its true, less conspicuous flowers. Typically, these bracts come in a spectrum of vivid colors, including magenta, purple, red, and white, contributing significantly to its ornamental appeal.
Possessing a climbing habit, Bougainvillea glabra can cover walls, trellises, and fences with relative ease. Its vine-like structure allows it to reach impressive heights when provided with adequate support, often extending and sprawling in a lush cascade of foliage and color. This growth habit, combined with its vigorous nature, makes it an excellent addition to both formal and informal garden settings.
In addition to its aesthetic value, Bougainvillea glabra is also appreciated for its resilience. It thrives in warm, tropical to subtropical climates, displaying a notable tolerance for drought and high temperatures once established. Despite its preference for sunny locations, this plant can adapt to a variety of soil types, provided there is good drainage. However, it is less tolerant of frost and prolonged cold, which can hamper its growth and vitality.
Maintenance of this plant involves regular pruning to manage its size and shape, as well as to encourage robust flowering. Fertilization during the growing season can enhance its overall health and blooming capacity. While relatively pest-resistant, occasional issues with aphids, spider mites, or caterpillars may arise.
Overall, the Bougainvillea glabra, or Paper-flower, represents a blend of beauty and strength, capturing the essence of tropical flora while providing a spectrum of colors that can enliven any garden space. Its historical and botanical significance, coupled with its functionality as a decorative plant, underscores its enduring popularity in horticulture.
Common Names
Fra: bougainvillée
Deu: kahle bougainvillea
Eng: paperflower, paper-flower, red bougainvillea
Spa: trinitaria roja
Swe: blank trillingblomma
Por: buganvilia, juvú, primavera, três-marias
En: Paper-flower, Paperflower, Red bougainvillea, Bougainvillea, Colorado Spruce, Lesser Bouganvillea, Paper flower
Ar: بوغنفيلية جرداء
Az: Çılpaq buqenvilleya
Ca: Buguenvíl·lea comuna
Zh: Guang ye zi hua, 光叶子花
Cs: Bugenvilea lysá
Nl: Bougainvillea
Fi: Kaljuihmeköynnös
Fr: Bougainvillée, Bougainvillée glabre, Bougainvillier glabre
De: Kahle Drillingsblume, Kahle Bougainvillea, Bougainvillea, Drillingsblume
He: בוגונווילה חלקה
Hu: Kopasz murvafürt
It: Buganvillea
Ml: ബോഗൈൻവില്ല ഗ്ലാബ്ര
Ne: कागते फूल
Pl: Bugenwilla gładka
Pt: Três-marias, Primavera, Buganvilia, Juvú
Es: Bougainvillea, Trinitaria, Trinitaria roja, Bouganvillea, Buganvilla
Sv: Blank trillingblomma
Zh-tw: 光葉子花
Vi: Hoa giấy nhẵn
Synonyms
- Bougainvillea formosa (W.Bull)
- Bougainvillea arborea (Glaz.)
- Bougainvillea glabra var. acutibracteata (Heimerl)
- Bougainvillea glabra var. graciliflora (Heimerl)
- Bougainvillea glabra var. obtusibracteata (Heimerl)
- Bougainvillea glabra var. alba (Mendes & Viégas)
- Bougainvillea glabra var. brachycarpa ((Heimerl) Heimerl)
- Bougainvillea rubicunda (Schott ex Rohrb.)
- Bougainvillea glabra var. typica (Heimerl)
- Bougainvillea brachycarpa (Heimerl)
- Bougainvillea spectabilis var. glabra ((Choisy) Hook.)
- Bougainvillea glabra var. sanderiana (Dimmock)
- Bougainvillea sanderiana ((Dimmock) W.Falc.bis)
Distribution
- Brazil Northeast (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Algeria (introduced)
- Ascension (introduced)
- Bahamas (introduced)
- Bangladesh (introduced)
- Bolivia (introduced)
- Brazil West-Central (introduced)
- Cameroon (introduced)
- Canary Is. (introduced)
- Comoros (introduced)
- Cuba (introduced)
- Dominican Republic (introduced)
- East Himalaya (introduced)
- Ecuador (introduced)
- Haiti (introduced)
- Jamaica (introduced)
- Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Mozambique Channel I (introduced)
- Myanmar (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- Nicaragua (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Society Is. (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Tubuai Is. (introduced)
- Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
- Windward Is. (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Dec 23, 2021 by erik boeur (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 8, 2021 by Jose L. Fabra (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 31, 2018 by Pierangelo (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 1, 2022 by Almanza Armando (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 2, 2017 by brunapaino (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Habit
Taken Jun 28, 2021 by Gianni Del Bufalo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 28, 2021 by Gianni Del Bufalo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 11, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 1, 2019 by Markus Komescher (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 26, 2018 by gianni del bufalo (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Nov 4, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Anziz AHMED ABDOU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 25, 2021 by Puentes Puentes (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 28, 2021 by Gianni Del Bufalo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 28, 2021 by Gianni Del Bufalo (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Aug 26, 2021 by Caranfos Caranfos (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 21, 2021 by Zoltan Laszlo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 14, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 24, 2022 by IMMORTAL_2209 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 4, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Sep 26, 2018 by gianni del bufalo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 26, 2018 by gianni del bufalo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 26, 2018 by gianni del bufalo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 26, 2018 by gianni del bufalo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 26, 2018 by gianni del bufalo (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Nov 15, 2019 by ariq ahmad ariq dikri (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 8, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 3, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 10, 2020 by López María (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 3, 2022 by شهاب الدين جابر (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5384862)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:35444-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Bougainvillea glabra Choisy)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Vine, Shrub
