Bougainvillea spectabilis
Bougainvillea spectabilis, commonly known as paperflower, is a vibrant ornamental climber celebrated for its colorful bracts. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this plant holds significant ethnobotanical value. Traditionally used in various cultures, its extracts are explored for medicinal properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities in holistic healing practices.
- Scientific name: Bougainvillea spectabilis
- Family: Nyctaginaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Caryophyllales, it is a member of the family Nyctaginaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation falls under the genus Bougainvillea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Nyctaginaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Bougainvillea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, scientifically known as Bougainvillea spectabilis, is recognized by various names across different cultures and languages. In Arabic, it is referred to as جهنمية منظارية, while in Chinese, it is known as 叶子花 (simplified) and 九重葛 (traditional). It is called Gözəl buqenvilleya in Azerbaijani, and in Bengali, it is commonly named বাগানবিলাস.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ar | جهنمية منظارية | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 九重葛 | Wikidata |
| az | Gözəl buqenvilleya | Wikidata |
| zh | 叶子花 | Wikidata |
| bn | বাগানবিলাস | Wikidata |
| cs | bugenvilea nádherná | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 叶子花 | Wikidata |
| pwn | ljakarap | Wikidata |
| arz | بوغنفيليه منظاريه | Wikidata |
| ht | Bougenvil | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several distinct tropical regions. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is noted in Gambia. Moving towards West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found in Cameroon, the Gulf of Guinea Islands, and the DR Congo. Additionally, the species extends its reach into the Western Indian Ocean, specifically in Mauritius. These varied locations highlight the widespread adaptability of the species across different oceanic and continental zones.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Nansei-shoto | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Bougainvillea spectabilis, possesses various anatomical features, though its medicinal properties are often associated with specific components. While the vibrant, petal-like structures are actually modified leaves called bracts, the true leaves are simple, alternate, and ovate in shape, serving as the primary site for photosynthesis. In traditional herbal practices, the leaves are sometimes utilized in decoctions or poultices due to their phytochemical composition, contributing to the plant's diverse range of potential therapeutic applications.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Bougainvillea spectabilis has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include D-pinitol, H2O2, Spinasterol, caffeic acid, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 16
- Scientific sources
- 17
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| D-pinitol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| H2O2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Spinasterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caffeic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glycosides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malondialdehyde | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxalates | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pinitol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetagetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Bougainvillea spectabilis has 8 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Analgesic, Anticancer, Antihepatotoxic.
- Total activities
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihepatotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperlipidemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiulcer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Bougainvillea spectabilis has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Diabetes mellitus, analgesic, anthelmintic, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic.
- Total uses
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthelmintic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antihyperlipidemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fertility | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kidney diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |