Bougainvillea spectabilis
Native to eastern and southern Brazil, this perennial woody climber has thorny stems that scramble over supporting vegetation. Its color comes mainly from papery bracts surrounding small tubular flowers. It is widely cultivated over walls, fences and arbors. Flowering develops on new growth. Crosses with other bougainvillea species have produced many garden hybrids, with bracts ranging from white and yellow to pink, orange, red, and purple and with green or variegated leaves. Photographed in Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Peru.








































