Lesser Bougainvillea Bougainvillea glabra
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- boo-gun-VEEL-ee-uh GLAY-bruh
- Description
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Lesser Bougainvillea is an evergreen, flowering vine in the 4-O'Clock family. It is frost sensitive so it is often grown as an annual or as a container plant. The actual flower is small and insignificant, it is the colorful bracts, or modified leaves, which can be seen in all shades of pink, purple, and red that attract attention. It is a woody climber with curved thorns that sprawls and needs to be tied or have a structure such as a fence, wall, or pergola for support. The species name comes from the Latin for bald.
Lesser Bougainvillea is best suited to a hot, dry climate and should be watered deeply but allowed to dry out between waterings. It grows best in full sun or partial shade with well-drained, acidic soil. Full sun will encourage flowering. Once established, they are drought resistant. Prune immediately after flowering to maintain a desired shape.
Lesser Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea glabra) has distinctly 5-angled (pentagonal) floral tubes and short floral bracts and is distinguished from Great Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis) which has rounded floral tubes and longer floral bracts.Except for those characteristics, they are otherwise very similar.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
Chlorosis can be a problem in alkaline soil.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Bougainvillea
- Species:
- glabra
- Family:
- Nyctaginaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- It is used as a botanical insecticide. In Mexico, an infusion is used to treat gastrointestinal and respiratory problems.
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- native to Brazil and Peru
- Distribution:
- naturalized in Hawaii and parts of Texas and Florida
- Wildlife Value:
- Bougainvillea is attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds.
- Climbing Method:
- Scrambler
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Cascading
- Climbing
- Multi-trunked
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Thorns
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Elongated achene which is less than 1/2 inch long and has a dry hard covering.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Around the center of pink, red, or purple bracts, the flowers are much smaller than the bracts and are generally white.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Smooth
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblanceolate
- Oblong
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Glossy leaves are green or variegated. They are generally glabrous (smooth and hairless) but may have small hairs. Bracts, or modified leaves, are in shades of red, pink, and purple.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- It has thorny stems.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Rock Wall
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Border
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Salt
- Wind
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
