Bougainvillea

Buganvilia of the state of Morelos, Mexico with two open flowers and pink bract.

The genus Bougainvillea, popularly known as veranera, trinitaria, bougainvillea, buganvilia or bugambilia, is a genus of the Nyctaginaceae family, with 18 accepted species of the 35 described. It is native to the humid tropical forests of South America, mainly from those located in areas of Brazil, Peru and northern Argentina and widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions.

Description

They are shrubs or small trees, some perennial climbers in rainy areas all year round, or deciduous in dry seasons; from 1 to 12 m tall. They attach themselves to other plants using their sharp spikes that are tipped with a black waxy substance. The leaves are alternate, simple and oval-acuminate in shape, 4-12 cm long and 2-6 wide. The hermaphroditic flowers are axillary, conspicuous, tubular, with 5-6 short lobes, generally white, organized in groups of 3, each inserted in a persistent bract with a papery appearance and usually brightly colored white, yellow, pink, magenta., purple, red or orange. The number of stamens varies from 5 to 10; with short filaments and welded at the base. The ovary is fusiform, glabrous or pubescent, with a short lateral style. The fruit is a narrow, spindle-shaped or cylindrical pentameric achene.

Bugambilias climbing trees

Properties

This plant receives extensive traditional medicinal use in the central and southern states of Mexico, mainly in cases of respiratory infections such as cough, asthma, bronchitis and flu. For its treatment, the flowers or bracts are used, as well as its preparation, which is administered orally.

Bougainvillea is also claimed to be a good skin treatment as its antiseptic properties help prevent acne and flaking.

Taxonomy

Bougainvillea: generic name given by Philibert Commerson (1727-1773) in honor of Louis Antoine de Bougainville (1729-1811), the French sailor and explorer who introduced the plant to Europe from Brazil, and who was the botanist who accompanied him on his expedition around the world from 1766 to 1769. Its publication was the work of Antoine Laurent de Jussieu in his Genera Plantarum (Jussieu) , 91, in 1789. The type species is: Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd.

Common name

• Buganvilla (Spain), Peru.
• Bugambilia (Guatemala, Ecuador, Chile, Cuba and Mexico)
• Curacao (Colombian region),
• Paperwork (North area of Peru)
• Napoleon (Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama)
• Trinitarian (Cuba, Panama, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Colombia)
• Veranera (El Salvador, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia)
• Brisa and Santa Rita (Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay)
• Always alive (Colombia)
• 

  Bougainvillea specimen in the city of Turdera.
  Salia (Amxóchitl, Zacatecas)