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Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea is a genus of thorny ornamental plants in the family Nyctaginaceae, including shrubs, vines, and small trees.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Bougainvillea is a genus of thorny ornamental plants in the family Nyctaginaceae, including shrubs, vines, and small trees. The plants are native to tropical South America and are widely grown for their brightly coloured papery bracts that surround small flowers.

Description

Bougainvillea includes thorny shrubs, vines, and small trees with woody stems. The small flowers are usually less noticeable than the large papery bracts that give the plant its ornamental value.

Distribution and habitat

The genus is native to tropical South America and occurs naturally in countries including Brazil and neighbouring parts of the continent. It has since been introduced widely to warm regions around the world.

Cultivation

Bougainvillea is popular as a garden and landscape plant in tropical and subtropical climates. It is also grown indoors or in conservatories where winters are too cold for outdoor growth.

Taxonomy

Bougainvillea belongs to the family Nyctaginaceae. Sources disagree on the exact number of species, reflecting ongoing taxonomic variation among authorities.

Key facts

  • Bougainvillea is a genus of woody ornamental plants in the four-o'clock family, Nyctaginaceae.
  • The genus is native to tropical South America, including Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Argentina.
  • Its most conspicuous feature is the brightly coloured bracts that surround the small flowers.
  • Bougainvillea is widely cultivated in warm climates and also grown in greenhouses in colder regions.
  • The genus name honours the French navigator Louis Antoine de Bougainville.
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Canadian context

Bougainvillea is mainly grown in Canada as a greenhouse, conservatory, or indoor ornamental plant because it needs warm conditions and is not frost-tolerant.[3][14][15]

Frequently asked questions

What is bougainvillea?
Bougainvillea is a genus of thorny ornamental shrubs, vines, and small trees in the family Nyctaginaceae.
Where is bougainvillea native to?
It is native to tropical South America, including Brazil and several neighbouring countries.
Why is bougainvillea grown as an ornamental plant?
It is grown for its vivid, papery bracts, which surround the small flowers and create its showy appearance.
How many species of bougainvillea are there?
Sources differ, with estimates ranging from about 4 to 22 species.
Who is bougainvillea named after?
The genus is named after the French navigator Louis Antoine de Bougainville.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bougainvillea
    Supports: General description, native range, species count, and bract-based floral structure.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/plant/bougainvillea
    Supports: Genus description, family, native range, and ornamental cultivation.
  3. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa — https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/of-38.pdf
    Supports: Tropical/subtropical woody vine description, naming after Bougainville, and horticultural use.
  4. Thermo Fisher Scientific — https://www.thermofisher.com/phadia/us/en/resources/allergen-encyclopedia/k214.html
    Supports: Native origin, greenhouse cultivation in colder climates, thorns, and bract description.
  5. University of Texas at El Paso — https://www.utep.edu/herbal-safety/herbal-facts/herbal%20facts%20sheet/bougainvillea%20.html
    Supports: Native range and ornamental cultivation in subtropical and tropical regions.
  6. PubMed Central — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6035817/
    Supports: Approximate species count, endemism to South America, and introduction to Europe.