Texas Wildbuds
Bougainvillea glabra
(Paperflower)
Bougainvillea glabra, Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Hidalgo Co. 3159
Bougainvillea glabra, Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Hidalgo Co. 3160
Bougainvillea glabra, Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Hidalgo Co. 3170
Bougainvillea glabra, Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Hidalgo Co. 5337
Bougainvillea glabra, Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Hidalgo Co. 3165
Bougainvillea glabra, Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Hidalgo Co. 3163
Bougainvillea glabra, Estero Llano Grande State Park, Weslaco, Hidalgo Co. 5338
| Scientific Name | Bougainvillea glabra | USDA PLANTS Symbol | BOGL4 |
| Common Name | Paperflower, Bougainvillea | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 19683 |
| Family | Nyctaginaceae (Four O'clock) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Various soils; native to South America and planted as an ornamental in subtropical areas of the US, including the Rio Grande Valley; plants shown here are wild but likely escapees or from old homesteads. Plant: Perennial, much-branched, woody vine; stems are armed with straight or recurved spines 1/4 to 1/2-inch long and hairless. Leaves: Alternate, broadly ovate to elliptic-ovate or ovate lanceolate, 1-5/8 to 4 inches long; tips are acute to long-acuminate; younger leaves with pubescent hairs, becoming smooth; petioles are less than a third the length of the leaves. Inflorescence: Blossoms with thin, purplish-red to red or orangish-red bracts, broadly ovate or oval, about 1 inch long, surrounding three small white flowers. Bloom Period: Year-round. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston and Wikipedia. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Introduced |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2025
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