Although associated with Mediterranean gardens, this is actually a South American introduction from Brazil and Peru. It is named after the Parisian admiral Louis Antoine de Bouganville who discovered the plant in the mid 18th century growing in Brazil. The vivid purple colour is not from flower petals but bracts. The flower is the small white part in the centre.

Growing out of a ruined cottage's wall, near Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife 11th February 2009

Added 20th March 2009, updated 5th March 2010