Bougainvillea glabra, the lesser bougainvillea or paperflower, is the most common species of bougainvillea used for bonsai. The epithet 'glabra' comes from Latin and means "bald".
Bougainvillea glabra
Vine
Paperflower—Bougainvillea glabra
Flowers
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