Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea, common name for flowering woody vines (see Four o'Clock), native to South America, and cultivated in the southern United States. Named for the French navigator Louis de Bougainville, the group includes about 13 species, several of which are widely cultivated as porch and arbor ornaments in warm climates and as hothouse plants in cool climates. The plant has small, inconspicuous flowers that are usually enclosed by three large showy bracts, or modified leaves; the bracts may be purple, red, orange, or white. The larger species grow to about 5 m (about 16 ft).

Scientific classification: Bougainvillea make up the genus Bougainvillea, of the family Nyctaginaceae.