bougainvillea

 
Pronunciation: /ˌbuːg(ə)nˈvɪlɪə/
(also bougainvillaea)

noun

  • an ornamental shrubby climbing plant that is widely cultivated in the tropics. The insignificant flowers are surrounded by large, brightly coloured papery bracts which persist on the plant for a long time.
    • Genus Bougainvillea, family Nyctaginaceae

Origin:

named after Louis de Bougainville (see Bougainville, Louis Antoine de)