Bougainvillea, the Rest of the Story

How is bougainvillea related to Jeanne Baret, the first woman to circumnavigate the globe? Bougainvillea, the Rest of the Story.

Bougainvillea, and the Rest of the Story

I thought bougainvillea was a nuisance plant. It grows like a weed here in Southern California. I once had a bougainvillea near the walkway leading to my door in Riverside when I first went to work overseas. The plant grew wild and literally blocked the entrance to the home. My parents had to cut a way through the bush to clear a path for the poor postman (and my tenant!).

I later began to appreciate the qualities of bougainvillea in Malaysia and the Middle East. It just needs a little love and attention. It can be a house plant for anyone who doesn’t like other people (nasty thorns!). Likewise it can be a fence. I like to think of it as a colorful tree. It is very easy to grow.

What we like about bougainvillea are the leaves. Not just any leaves, but the bracts. Bracts on the…