Lesser Bougainvillea is an evergreen, flowering vine in the 4-O'Clock family. It is frost sensitive so it is often grown as an annual or as a container plant. The actual flower is small and insignificant, it is the colorful bracts, or modified leaves, which can be seen in all shades of pink, purple, and red that attract attention. It is a woody climber with curved thorns that sprawls and needs to be tied or have a structure such as a fence, wall, or pergola for support. The species name comes from the Latin for bald. Lesser Bougainvillea is best suited to a hot, dry climate and should be watered deeply but allowed to dry out between waterings. It grows best in full sun or partial shade with well-drained, acidic soil. Full sun will encourage flowering. Once established, they are drought resistant. Prune immediately after flowering to maintain a desired shape. Lesser Bougainvillea ( Bougainvillea glabra ) has distinctly 5-angled (pentagonal) floral tubes and short floral bracts and is distinguished from Great Bougainvillea ( Bougainvillea spectabilis ) which has rounded floral tubes and longer floral bracts.Except for those characteristics, they are otherwise very similar. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Chlorosis can be a problem in alkaline soil. More information on Bougainvillea .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Glossy leaves are green or variegated. They are generally glabrous (smooth and hairless) but may have small hairs. Bracts, or modified leaves, are in shades of red, pink, and purple.
Flower color
Cream/Tan; Gold/Yellow; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Around the center of pink, red, or purple bracts, the flowers are much smaller than the bracts and are generally white.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit size
< 1 inch long
Fruit detail
Elongated achene which is less than 1/2 inch long and has a dry hard covering.
Stem detail
It has thorny stems.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
native to Brazil and Peru
Distribution
naturalized in Hawaii and parts of Texas and Florida
Wildlife value
Bougainvillea is attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Achene
Uses (ethnobotany)
It is used as a botanical insecticide. In Mexico, an infusion is used to treat gastrointestinal and respiratory problems.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Patio; Pool/Hardscape; Rock Wall; Slope/Bank