Bougainvillea glabra Choisy APNI* Description: Vigorous rambling shrubs or woody lianas, evergreen (losing leaves in drought times). Stems thick, branches pendent, glabrous or sparsely pubescent; spines axillary (large curved thorns), 5–15 mm long.
Leaves finely pubescent, narrow-ovate to elliptical, 5–13 cm long, 1.5–6 cm wide; petioles 3–10 mm long.
Inflorescences in 3-flowered units. Floral bracts ovate, 2–3.5 cm long, 2 cm wide, usually red or purple (magenta). Flowers white, tubular, 9–20 mm long. Stamens 6–8.
Fruits not seen in cultivation.
Distribution and occurrence: Brazil, in seasonally dry thorn scrubs. Widely grown as an ornamental in many parts of the world, with numerous cultivars developed for different bract colours and growth habits. Occasionally seen as a garden escape.
NSW subdivisions: *LHI
Text by K.D. Hill; updated Louisa Murray July 2017
Taxon concept: Based on specimens in the herbarium and Flora of China Vol. 5 p431.
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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