Bougainvillea
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Bougainvillea is a genus of thorny ornamental vines, bushes, and trees belonging to the four o' clock family, Nyctaginaceae. They are native to Brazil, Peru, and Argentina. There are between 4 and 22 species in the genus. The inflorescence consists of large colourful sepal-like bracts which surround three simple waxy flowers, gaining popularity for the plant as an ornamental. The plant is named after explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville (1729-1811), after it was documented on one of his expeditions.
Image: Bougainvillea closeup
Image: Pink paperflowers (Bougainvillea glabra)
Bougainvillea, Behbahan. Many of the small white flowers, in various stages of development, may be seen among the larger bracts.
Close-up photo of Bougainvillea spectabilis in Hawaii, showing thorns
Bract
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In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis or cone scale. Bracts are usually different from foliage leaves; they may be of a different size, color, shape, or texture. Typically, they also look different from the parts of the flower, such as the petals or sepals. A plant having bracts is referred to as bracteate or bracteolate, while one that lacks them is referred to as ebracteate or ebracteolate.
Papery (upper) and leafy bracts on hay rattle (Rhinanthus minor). All the "leaves" in this image are bracts.
Bright yellow bracts of Castilleja levisecta are more tightly pressed against the stem than bracts of other Castilleja species.
Bracts of Bougainvillea glabra, differ in colour from the non-bract leaves, and attract pollinators.
Bracts along a banana flower stalk surround the rows of flowers