A South American native, the first recorded in the Philippines was Bougainvillea spectabilis. The other species were introduced much later. The genus derived its name from Antoine de Bougainville, the first Frenchman who crossed the Pacific.
Bougainvillea flowers all year-round here, but they're more prolific in the summer. It is a woody climber that can grow to a height of more than 10 meters, with large thorny stems and long drooping branches. Flowers are in group of threes, forming clusters. Currently, there are over 300 varieties of Bougainvillea around the world. Numerous cultivars are cultivated in the Philippines, with single of multiple bracts, in varied colors of red, purple, pink, yellow, orange and white.
Leaves are used in folkloric medicine to treat a variety of disorders---from diarrhea, to reduce stomach acidity, cough and sore throat. In Panama, an infusion of flowers is used as treatment for low blood pressure; crude extract of leaves is used in Niger for diabetes. A decoction of dried stems is said to treat hepatitis.
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| Bougainvillea, Paper Flower, Bongabilya, Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd. |
"The world is not respectable; it is mortal, tormented, confused, deluded forever; but it it shot through with beauty, with love, with glints of courage and laughter; and in these, the spirit blooms timidly and struggles to the light amid the thorns." ~ George Santayana
Linking to Floral Friday Fotos and Today's Flower
17 comments:
beautiful flowers! :)
Great pictures you show of some beautiful Bouganvilla.
Hanne Bente / hbt.finus.dk
Nice photos! I like the macro - and the light colored ones - I have seen the bright ones in Florida, but not the light pink. I like your photo below of the shack in the rice field too!
Who doesn't love the beautiful flowering Bouganvilla!!
Great shots,
Gisela
We have those flowers here in Florida ... I didn't know all that they could be used for. Interesting.
Lovely shots of this showy flower, Miranda!
Thanks for your continuing support of Floral Friday Fotos.
Lovely bougainvilleas!
Wonderful flowers, I like the colors ..
Best regards, Karin
What an amazing flowers! Gorgeous!
Thanks for sharing
I love bougainvillaes! Beautiful shots.
Flowers of Korea
Simply gorgeous. We have a few in our yard, and I love 'em. The colors are so vibrant, and it makes the yard glowing with color. I really like your incredible images. Well done.
These are gorgeous and that quotation is spot on.
I have seen many different colors here in my hometown. But then kids do pick them since it is Flores de Mayo ^)^ Just remind me of my childhood too we skip sleep just to get flowers to offer the Blessed Mother Mary. ^)^ Nice shots Luna thanks for sharing.
Pink Tulips
what lovely photos! I love Bougainvillea, it grew on the verandah of the house I lived in in Malawi
These are some lovely flowers! :) Love, love, love them all! :) Visiting!
Adin B
Great macro shot on top, I didn't even recognize it as a Bougainvillea bloom.
Lovely shots :) Thanks for the visit :)
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