bougainvilleas
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bougainvilleas
Bougainvillea
Bougainvilleas are colorful flowers that bloom in bright shades of pink, purple, and orange. They grow on climbing vines and can make gardens look beautiful and cheerful!
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The bougainvilleas has vibrant, papery 'flowers' that come in dazzling shades of purple, pink, red, orange, and white. These colorful parts are actually modified leaves called bracts, which surround a small, cream-colored true flower, making it visually distinct from many other flowering plants.
KingdomPlantaePhylumAngiospermsClassEudicotsOrderCaryophyllalesFamilyNyctaginaceaeGenusBougainvillea
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Bougainvilleas can live for many decades, some even over a hundred years old!
Its colorful 'petals' are actually special leaves, much like a protective, showy disguise!
Some types of bougainvillea can be pruned and shaped into unique bonsai trees!
The first bougainvillea was discovered in Brazil in 1768 by a French botanist!
Special abilities
Ability
Climbing Conqueror
Bougainvilleas can grow long, thorny stems that help it climb high to reach sunlight, acting like a natural ladder.
Ability
Drought Defender
Bougainvilleas has adapted to dry conditions by needing very little water once established, helping it survive arid spells.
Ability
Thorny Guardian
Bougainvilleas possess sharp thorns along its stems that deter hungry animals from nibbling its leaves and shoots.
Ability
Pollinator Beacon
Bougainvilleas uses its brilliant, colorful bracts to attract bees and hummingbirds, guiding them to its tiny true flowers.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 50-1200 cm
- Spread
- 50-600 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Year-round in tropical climates; summer and fall in temperate zones
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
Bees visit tiny flowers for nectar and pollen.
pollinates
Ruby-throated hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
Hummingbirds are attracted to colorful bracts.
eats
Cotton leafworm
Spodoptera litura
Larvae can occasionally feed on the leaves.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Domesticated
Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
BougainvilleaBougainvillea GlabraBougainvillea Vine
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Bougainvilleas have thorns, so be careful not to touch the stems.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is bougainvilleas?
50-1200 cm
How wide does bougainvilleas spread?
50-600 cm
How big are the flowers on bougainvilleas?
0.5-1 cm
When does bougainvilleas bloom?
Year-round in tropical climates; summer and fall in temperate zones
Is bougainvilleas edible?
No
Is bougainvilleas toxic?
Mild
What is bougainvilleas's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is bougainvilleas pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
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