Bougainvillea glabra

Family: Nyctaginaceae, Bougainvillea arborea is a thornless and fragrant species.

Description: One of the most colorful and common ornamental shrubs in the Caribbean; grows from 3-6 m (10-20 ft) tall with many straggling branches; a strong and quick-growing climber whose stem has thorns which helps the shrub climb; is often pruned to the shape of a shrub or small tree; alternate, stalked leaves, almost triangular in shape; flowers grow in large clusters in axillary panicles; the true flowers are small, insignificant structures occurring in threes, each attached to the inside of the enlarged, colorful bracts; colors are primarily purple and red, but may vary to pink, rose, orange and white.

Natural Habitat: Likes sunny locations with little to moderate rainfall.

Origin and Distribution: Native to Brazil; distributed throughout Caribbean and the tropical and sub-tropical world.