Equatorial Beauty

A native to coastal Brazil, the bougainvillea was discovered in 1768 in Rio de Janeiro by French naturalist Dr. Philibert Commerçon.  The plant is named after his close friend and ship's admiral Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, who commanded the ship La Boudeuse that sailed around the world between 1766-1769, and in which Commerçon was a passenger.

By the early 19th century, various species had traveled from France and England to Australia, North America and other faraway places.

Bougainvilleas' natural habitat is equatorial, where day and night lengths are almost equal.  The Spring and Fall in Arizona are perfect for these beautiful flowers to flourish.  This one is in my friend Alma's gorgeous patio garden.

EDIT:  I placed the same flower reprocessed on Sept 28, 2017 as an extra so I could see them side by side.