bougainvillea

[ boo-guhn-vil-ee-uh, -vil-yuh, boh- ]

noun

1. any of several shrubs or vines of the genus Bougainvillea, native to South America, having small flowers with showy, variously colored bracts, and often cultivated in warm regions.

bougainvillea

/ ˌbuːɡənˈvɪlɪə /

noun

1. any tropical woody nyctaginaceous widely cultivated climbing plant of the genus Bougainvillea , having inconspicuous flowers surrounded by showy red or purple bracts

Word History and Origins

Origin of bougainvillea¹

1789; < New Latin, named after L. A. de Bougainville

Word History and Origins

Origin of bougainvillea¹

C19: New Latin, named after Louis Antoine de Bougainville (1729–1811), French navigator

Example Sentences

A grove of Hawaiian “Autograph” trees and pink bougainvillea, not to mention fragrant jasmine, create a lush garden environment.

From The Daily Beast

It is our old friend the bougainvillea, but here it grows into a great tree instead of a creeper.

From Project Gutenberg

We said we wanted to see bougainvillea—a lot of bougainvillea, in a great mass together, as we had seen it from the ship.

From Project Gutenberg

We did get a guide at last who knew where the bougainvillea house was, but it was too late then to go to it.

From Project Gutenberg

It did not matter; there were flowers enough everywhere and bougainvillea on many walls.

From Project Gutenberg

These have given quite a new aspect to the vegetation, while bright colour is imparted by species of Bougainvillea and Poinsettia.

From Project Gutenberg