Bougainvillea spectabilis

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Photographs by: Dr. Maulik Gadani

Botanical Name : Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd
Common Name : Bougainvel
Plant Family : Nyctaginaceae
Plant Form : Climbers
Occurrence (Sectors) : 1 - 30
Occurrence (Special Areas) : Gujarat Forestry Research Foundation, Indroda Park, Ayurvedic Udyan, Punit Van, Sarita Udyan, Van Chetana Kendra, Infocity, Aranya Van, Basan

Habit : An extensive climber having curved, woody thorns on the stem and branches which are also hairy.
Leaves : Ovate, obtuse, entire, wavy, hairy.
Inflorescence : Branched axillary or terminal panicles.
Flowers :
- Each flower head consists of 3 petaloid bracts arranged as an involucre and carrying the flower.
- Bracts purple or rosy purple, ovate, obtuse, cordate, membranous and reticulately veined.
- Each flower is adnate to the median nerve of the bract.
- Perianth tubular, yellow, hairy, 5-lobed, narrow mouth.
- Stamens 7-8, filaments connate at the base.Ovary 1-celled, 1-ovuled, style lateral.
Fruit : Achene with anthocarp.
Flowering and Fruiting Time : March - July
Significance : Cultivated in the gardens.