It can be identified by its evergreen ovate leaves and distinct small clusters of white-yellowish flowers enclosed in attractive magenta or purple bracts.

Bougainvillea peruviana Classification

• Domain: Eukaryota
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Phylum: Spermatophyta
• Subphylum: Angiospermae
• Class: Dicotyledonae
• Order: Caryophyllales
• Family: Nyctaginaceae
• Genus: Bougainvillea 
• Species: Bougainvillea peruviana
• Common Names: Peruvian bougainvillea and Tricycla peruviana

Nativity and Distribution

B. peruviana is native to Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia, hence the name “Peruvian bougainvillea”. It has been introduced to other regions and countries, including the Bahamas, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Physical Characteristics

• Leaves: Glabrous, green, ovate leaves
• Fruits: Inconspicuous, dry, elongated achene
• Stems: Deep green stems with short and straight spines
• Flowers: White, yellowish flowers surrounded by attractive pink to magenta bracts
• Roots: Fibrous root system

Peruvian bougainvillea is one of the species of Bougainvillea that grows up to 12 m tall. It is a popular ornamental plant in many countries globally.

You can easily identify it by its evergreen ovate leaves and distinct small clusters of flowers enclosed in attractive purple bracts.

The leaves are glabrous, ovate, evergreen, and 2-4 cm long. Stems are deeply green with short and straight spines, which help the plant to climb over other vegetation.

Bougainvillea peruviana produces small white, yellowish flowers surrounded by vibrant pink to magenta bracts.

The fruit is an inconspicuous, dry, elongated achene.

Reproduction, Dispersal, and Life Cycle

• Life Cycle: Perennial 
• Seeds: It produces 1-2 seeds per flower
• Climate: Tropical, Subtropical, and Mediterranean climates
• Dispersal: Wind and water

B. Peruviana behaves as a perennial and prefers tropical, subtropical, and mediterranean climates. It can also tolerate hot and dry conditions. 

However, in extremely hot or frosty conditions, it may become deciduous. The ornamental plant thrives in rich, well-drained soil and full sun.

While it may produce seeds that are dispersed by wind and water, it is mainly propagated through stem and root cuttings. 

Uses 

The Peruvian bougainvillea is used as an ornamental plant in residential, commercial, and public spaces for its attractive bracts. It can be grown outdoors on fences and pergolas or indoors in large hanging baskets. 

Bougainvillea peruviana, combined with other bougainvillea species, is also used to make other cultivars such as Bougainvillea x buttiana.

The plant may have been used in some cultures as traditional medicine for diarrhea, coughs, and bronchitis. 

Impact on Farms and Environment

As a vine and climbing plant, the Bougainvillea peruviana has the potential to become an aggressive weed in landscapes. It uses its spiny stems to climb on shrubs and trees, leading to poor growth and, in other cases, suffocation. 

If left unattended, it can suppress the growth of other vegetation, overtaking large parts of a landscape.

The plant’s short spines can puncture the skin, causing injury, while the sap may result in skin irritation.  

Control 

• Mechanical control: Cut the climbing stems and pull out the roots
• Chemical control: Apply a non-selective herbicide such as triclopyr or glyphosate 

To control unwanted growth, cut the climbing stems and pull out the shallow roots. Ensure that you wear protective gloves and eyewear to avoid injury.

For larger plants, cut the upper climbing segments of the plant and apply a non-selective herbicide like triclopyr or glyphosate on the remaining stumps to kill the bougainvillea.

Sylvia Kiragu

Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.

insightweeds.com/

The post Bougainvillea peruviana appeared first on InsightWeeds.

You can easily identify it by its large and far-reaching vines with thorny stems, and colorful bracts, which can be red, orange, pink, or purple.

Bougainvillea spectabilis Classification

• Domain: Eukaryota
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Phylum: Spermatophyta
• Subphylum: Angiospermae
• Class: Dicotyledonae
• Order: Caryophyllales
• Family: Nyctaginaceae
• Genus: Bougainvillea 
• Species: Bougainvillea spectabilis
• Common Names: Bougainvillea, Great Bougainvillea, and Purple Bougainvillea

Nativity and Distribution 

Bougainvillea is native to Brazil. It has been introduced into other tropical and temperate regions, including:

• Asia
• Africa
• West Indies
• Tropical America

Physical Characteristics

• Leaves: Green, ovate or elliptical, with acute, obtuse, or acuminate apex
• Fruits: Small, 5-ribbed, elongated achene
• Stems: Pubescent, with long, narrow spines
• Flowers: Axillary clusters of three flowers, surrounded by colorful bracts
• Roots: Fibrous root system

Bougainvillea is a woody vine or shrub that can grow up to 12 m tall. It reproduces by seeds and can be propagated vegetatively by stem fragments and cuttings.

It can be easily identified by its large and far-reaching vines, thorny stems, and colorful bracts which can be red, orange, pink, or purple.

The leaves are alternate, 4-13 cm long and 2-5 cm wide, ovate or elliptical, with an acute, obtuse, or acuminate apex and sinuate margins. Based on a region’s rainfall levels, the leaves can be evergreen or deciduous.

Stems are pubescent, 1-2 cm wide, with long, narrow spines that appear on the leaf axils. The thorns (which can be up to 5 cm long in larger plants) help it to attach and climb other vegetation. 

Bougainvillea spectabilis flowers are located in axillary clusters of three, with bracts, that can be red, orange, pink, or purple beneath. In Brazil and other countries across the tropics, it flowers periodically throughout the year. For colder places, it flowers at the end of winter and in spring.

The fruit is a small, narrow, dry, 5-ribbed, elongated achene.

Reproduction, Dispersal, and Life Cycle

• Life Cycle: Perennial 
• Seeds: It produces three seeds per flower
• Climate: Tropical and warm temperate climates
• Dispersal: Wind and water

Bougainvillea spectabilis behaves as a perennial plant, thriving in tropical, subtropical, and warm climates. It reproduces by seeds, with each flower producing three seeds.

The seeds are light and easily dispersed by wind and water. However, the plant has a poor germination rate and the viable seeds tend to sprout after 30 days.

Therefore, the plant is mainly propagated through root and stem cuttings, flowering after 1-3 years. 

It grows best in open areas with full sunlight and prefers well-drained soil. Bougainvillea also exhibits high salt tolerance, can withstand drought, and hot, dry conditions.

Uses

1. Bougainvillea is a highly commercialized ornamental plant, popular for its attractive bracts.
2. It is planted along hedges, in parks, and gardens for its shade and around houses or fences to discourage intruders.
3. Bougainvillea plants are grown in cities to help mitigate environmental pollution.
4. The flower bracts are used to make a beverage called agua de buganvilia in the Caribbean and across America.
5. The plant has pinitol, a compound with the potential to assist in developing diabetes treatment.

Impact on Farms and Environment

While bougainvillea may be a popular ornamental, it is a woody vine plant, and it aggressively climbs over shrubs and trees, suffocating them. It also suppresses the growth of the lower vegetation, reducing and altering native biodiversity.

The thorns can cause physical injury or dermatitis with symptoms such as a rash, swelling, and pain.

Control

• Mechanical control: Cutting the shoots and pulling out the roots
• Chemical control: Apply a herbicide like glyphosate 

To control Bougainvillea spectabilis, cut the climbing shoots and pull out the root system. Ensure that you wear thornproof gloves and protective eyewear when attending to the plant. If you prefer to maintain the ornamental, prune the shoots and tie them to a fence or pergola for support. 

Where bougainvillea growth is unwanted, cut the upper stems and leaves and apply a herbicide like glyphosate on the lower stems for effective control.

Sylvia Kiragu

Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.

insightweeds.com/

The post Bougainvillea spectabilis appeared first on InsightWeeds.