Health Benefits
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Wednesday, May 21
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest
    Health Benefits
    • Home
    • Dental Health
    • Mental Health
    • Weight Loss
    • Health Wiki
    • Nutrition
    • Healthy Recipe
    Health Benefits
    Home»Herbs and Spices»Health benefits of Paper Flower Plant
    Herbs and Spices

    Health benefits of Paper Flower Plant

    By SylviaFebruary 11, 2020Updated:February 11, 2020No Comments14 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

    Bougainvillea glabra, named after Louis de Bougainvillea, a French navigator who came across it in Brazil during the 18th century, it has gained popularity all over the world, due to its versatility, richness and suitability to thrive in degrading environmental conditions. Bougainvillea, Glory of the Garden, Lesser Bougainvillea and Paper Flower are few of the popular common names of the plant. The plant is native to South America from Brazil to Peru and to Southern Argentina. It is a semi-climber and can be grown as a hedge, a shrub, a climber over a sunny wall and also in pots and is most common species of bougainvillea used for bonsai.

    The specific epithet name glabra means smooth, no hair. The genus was named after de Bougainville, 1729-1811, French navigator. It was originally spelled Buginvillea. With its sharp thick thorns it is avoided by cattle, goats, monkeys and even birds. It loves open sunshine and the colors of some varieties grow brighter and more attractive in hot dry climate. A postal stamp was issued by the Indian Postal Department to memorialize this flower. Paper Flower, is one of the traditional medicinal plants with potential antifertility activity. The aqueous extract and decoction of this plant have been used as fertility control among the tribal people in many countries. Furthermore, it has been shown to possess anticancer, anti-diabetic, anti-hepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiulcer properties.

    Paper Flower Plant Facts

    Paper Flower Quick Facts
    Name: Paper Flower
    Scientific Name: Bougainvillea glabra
    Origin South America from Brazil to Peru and to Southern Argentina
    Colors Brown
    Shapes Small elongated five-lobed achene fruit about 1–2 cm long
    Health benefits Relieve fever, Treat cough, Relieve sore throat, Anti-diabetic, Treat diarrhea, Enhance respiratory, Cure stomachache, Body detoxifier, Ease joints pain, Regulates Blood Pressure, Prevent Inflammation of the Stomach, Antiseptic property, Maintaining the Balance of Cholesterol
    Name Paper Flower
    Scientific Name Bougainvillea glabra
    Native South America from Brazil to Peru and to Southern Argentina
    Common Names Bougainvillea, Glory of the Garden, Lesser Bougainvillea, Paper Flower
    Name in Other Languages Albanian: Bugenvilé
    Arabic: bwghnfylyt jurada (بوغنفيلية جرداء)
    Assamese: Kagaj-phul, Bagan-bilas
    Azerbaijani: Çılpaq buqenvilleya
    Bengali: Baganbilas
    Brazil : Buganvilea, Cansarina, Ceboleiro, Flor-De- Papel, Juvu, Pataguinha, Primavera, Rios Do Prado, Roseiro, Roseta, Snata-Rira, Sempre-Lustrosa, Tres-Marias
    Burmese : Sekku-Pan
    Catalan : Buguenvíl.Lea, Buguenvíl.Lea Comuna
    Chinese : Guang Yi Zi Hua (光叶子花), mao bao jin, jiu chong ge, san jiao hua, ye zi hua
    Czech: Bugenvilea lysá
    English: Paperflower, lesser bougainvillea
    Finnish: Kaljuihmeköynnös
    French : Bougainvillée, Bougainvillier, bougainvillée glabre
    German : Bougainvillie, Drillingsblume, Kahle Drillingsblume, Bougainvillea
    Hindi: Booganbel (बूगनबेल)
    Hungarian: Kopasz murvafürt
    Indonesia : Buganvil, kembang kertas, bunga kertas
    Italian : Buganvillea
    Japanese: Felila
    Konkani: Bouganvila (बुगनविला), bougainvillea
    Malay: Buganvil, buginvila, pokok bunga kertas
    Malayalam: Bēāgainvilla glābra (ബോഗൈൻവില്ല ഗ്ലാബ്ര)
    Malaysia : Bunga Kertas, Buganvil, Buginvila
    Manipuri: Cherei (চেরৈ), ꯆꯦꯔꯩ
    Marathi: Booganvel  (बूगनवेल)
    Mexico : Bugambilia, Shpupu-Kutshanat
    Nepali: Kaagate phool  (कागते फूल)
    Philippines : Bogambilya, Bongabilya
    Polish: Bugenwilla gładka
    Portuguese: Juvú, Três-marias, primavera, buganvilia, ceboleiro, pataguinha, roseiro, roseta, santa-rita, sempre-lustrosa, ceboleiro-de-mata
    Russian: Bugenvilliya golaya (бугенвиллия голая)
    Spanish : Bogambilia, Boganvilla, Bugambilia Morada, Bugambilia Roja, Buganvilla, Buganvillea Lisa, Buganvilia, Bugenvil, Dania, Enredadera De Papel, Flor De Papel, Flor De Varano, Santa Rita, Trinitaria, Veranilla, bougainvillea, trinitaria roja
    Swedish : Blank Trillingblomma
    Tagalog: Bugambilia, bogambilya
    Telegu: Kagithala Puvvu (కాగితాల పువ్వు)
    Thai : Fueangfa, fuang fah
    Turkish: Gelinduvağı
    Vietnamese : Hoa Giấy Nhẵn, hoa giay, bong giay
    Plant Growth Habit Vigorous, evergreen, climbing, rambling shrub or woody liane
    Growing Climates Atlantic rainforest, semi deciduous forests, in both dense primary forest, sandy desert soils, slopes, mesas and disturbed rocky soil
    Soil Perform best in a well-drained, fertile, light soil in a sunny position. Although drought tolerant, they need plenty of moisture during the flowering season
    Plant Size Usually grows 10–12 ft (3.0–3.7 m) tall, occasionally up to 30 ft (9 m)
    Bark Pale and corky
    Stem Woody perennial vine, with multi trunked and large clumping stems which spread up to 2–4 m
    Leaf Alternate, finely pubescent abaxially, glabrous adaxially, ovate, ovate–lanceolate to elliptical, 5–13 cm long and 3–6 cm wide
    Flower Insignificant, bisexual, occurs in 3-flowered cymose units subtended by showy colorful chartaceous, foliaceous bracts
    Fruit Shape & Size Small elongated five-lobed achene fruit is 1–2 cm long
    Fruit Color Brown
    Lifespan 25-50 years
    Propagation By cuttings
    Pest Mites, Thrips, Scales, Aphids
    Disease Fungal and bacterial leaf spot disease
    Health Benefits
    • Relieve fever
    • Treat cough
    • Relieve sore throat
    • Anti-diabetic
    • Treat diarrhea
    • Enhance respiratory
    • Cure stomachache
    • Body detoxifier
    • Ease joints pain
    • Regulates Blood Pressure
    • Prevent Inflammation of the Stomach
    • Antiseptic property
    • Maintaining the Balance of Cholesterol
    Culinary Uses
    • In Thailand, flower bracts are used in salad and frying.
    Precautions
    • Some research says that inappropriate consumption of bougainvillea leaves may lead to infertility problems.

    Plant Description

    Paper flower is a vigorous, evergreen, climbing, rambling shrub or woody liane that normally grows about 10–12 ft. (3.0–3.7 m) tall, occasionally up to 30 ft. (9 m) with thick, glabrous to sparsely pubescent stem and pendent branches with curved axillary spines, 5–15 mm long. The plant is found growing in Atlantic rainforest, semi deciduous forests, in dense primary forest, sandy desert soils, slopes, mesas and disturbed rocky soil. Normally the plants perform best in a well-drained, fertile, light soil in a sunny position. Although drought tolerant, they need plenty of moisture during the flowering season. It is a woody perennial vine, with multi trunked and large clumping stems which spread up to 2–4 m. The clumping stem uses thinning branches attached the curved thorns. The color of growing stems is from green to dark green. Bark is pale and corky.

    Leaves

    Leaves are alternate, finely pubescent abaxially, glabrous adaxially, ovate, ovate–lanceolate to elliptical, 5–13 cm long and 3–6 cm wide on 1 cm long petioles. Leaves are deep green, leathery in texture, and hairy underneath.

    Leaf Arrangement Alternate
    Leaf Venation Pinnate
    Leaf Persistence Evergreen
    Leaf Type Simple
    Leaf Blade Less than 5
    Leaf Shape Lanceolate
    Leaf Margins Undulate
    Leaf Textures Smooth
    Leaf Scent No Fragrance
    Color(growing season) Green
    Color(changing season) Green

     

    Flower

    Flowers are insignificant, bisexual, occurs in 3-flowered cymose units subtended by impressive colorful chartaceous, foliaceous bracts. Bracts are ovate to deltoid– ovate, 2–5 cm long, 1.54 cm wide, with acuminate or acutely pointed tips and cordate bases, usually purple or magenta, but also red, pink, orange or white. Flowers with 1–2.5 cm long perianth tube which is dilated basally, distinctly angled, sparsely pubescent, ribbed, apex 5-lobed white to creamy white, curved away from pedicel. From the base of the tube arises a single carpel, and encircling the ovary is a cup shaped nectar, from its rim arises 6–8 stamens. Tiny white flowers usually appear in clusters surrounded by colorful papery bracts, hence the name paper flower. Fertile flowers are followed by small elongated five-lobed achene fruit about 1–2 cm long. It is rather one- seeded, inconspicuous, not showy, and has a dry, hard fruit cover

    Flower Showiness True
    Flower Size Range 0 – 1.5
    Flower Type Solitary
    Flower Sexuality Monoecious (Bisexual)
    Flower Scent No Fragrance
    Flower Color Yellow, Orange, Red, Purple, Variegated, White
    Seasons Spring, Summer

     

    Fruit Type Achene/Akene
    Fruit Showiness False
    Fruit Size Range 0 – 1.5
    Fruit Colors Brown
    Seasons Spring, Summer

     

    History

    Bougainvillea species including B. glabra are native to South America from Brazil to Peru and to Southern Argentina (Chubut Province). It has been introduced pantropically and is a popular ornamental plant in the warm areas of Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, the Pacific Islands, and the Mediterranean region, the Caribbean, Mexico, South Africa and the United States in Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii and Southern Texas.

    Paper flower Image Gallery
    Flower-of-Paper-flower-plant Flower-of-Paper-flower-plant
    Leaves-of-Paper-flower Leaves-of-Paper-flower
    Paper-flower-bonsai Paper-flower-bonsai
    Paper-flower-plant Paper-flower-plant
    Paper-flower-plant-growing-wild Paper-flower-plant-growing-wild
    Paper-flower-with-yellow-bract Paper-flower-with-yellow-bract
    Plant-Illustration-of-Paper-flower Plant-Illustration-of-Paper-flower
    Sketch-of-Paper-flower Sketch-of-Paper-flower
    Thorn-of-Paper-flower-plant Thorn-of-Paper-flower-plant

    Health Benefits of Paper Flower

    Among the health benefits of Paper flower, the most acknowledged benefit is the ability of the flowers in dealing with respiratory problems. It includes the ability of Paper flower in healing cough and relieving sore throat. Besides, there are many more health benefits of the flowers. The other health benefits are listed as follows:

    1. Relieve fever

    Drinking Paper flower infusion or tea is known to be effective to reduce fever. It is possible since it possess the antipyretic properties. The antipyretic properties enable Paper flower to quickly and naturally reduce fever. Thus, it is good to be applied for children, as it has minimal side effect.

    2. Treat cough

    Just like the health Benefits of Goldenseal and Echinacea, Paper flower are also suggested for cough. It is possible since Paper flower possess expectorant property which supports the discharge of mucus from respiratory tract. The excretion of mucus is able to boost the cough recovery.

    3. Relieve sore throat

    Sore throat might be caused by allergy or infection. In this case, Paper flower are able to offer you the solution. The antiseptic property of Paper flower makes it possible for the Paper flower tea to instantly reduce inflammation and relieve the sore part.

    4. Anti-diabetic

    The concussion of the research showed the data suggest that A. indica chloroform extract and B. spectabilis aqueous, methanolic extracts exhibit islet regeneration/protection properties and therefore have beneficial effects in diabetes mellitus that holds the hope of new generation of anti-diabetic drugs.

    5. Treat diarrhea

    Drinking Paper flower infusion for diarrhea is able to boost the recovery process. It is strongly connected to the ability of Paper flower to flush out toxins. As we know, diarrhea appears as the reaction to the toxins or the unwanted material within the digestive tract.

    6. Enhance respiratory

    Consuming Paper flower infusion will help you to enhance the respiratory system. It is possible since Paper flower has a good effect for lungs. It enables lung to optimally perform its function in giving off the oxygen needed by the body.

    7. Cure stomachache

    Warm tea is always a good idea for stomach ache. Just like the Health Benefits of Hyssop Tea, taking warm Paper flower tea is also able to cure stomachache, especially due to the high acidity. This evergreen thorny flower is amazingly to reduce the high acidity of stomach.

    8. Body detoxifier

    Talking about natural body detoxifier, you might never miss the health Benefits of Drinking Hot Water with Lemon. However, you should know that the purple Paper flower also possess the ability to clean out the body. Regular consumption of it will help your body to flush toxins, and the other unwanted material we get from our unhealthy diet and the exposure to pollution.

    9. Ease joints pain

    The ability of Paper flower in performing as anti-inflammatory agent help us to deal with inflammation problem. The most common problem is the joint pain in aging people due to the inflamed joints. Therefore, Paper flower can be used as natural remedy for joints pain. It efficiently eases the pain by reducing the inflammation.

    10. Regulates Blood Pressure

    In Mexico Paper flower can be used as a natural drink to tackle high blood pressure and regulate blood pressure. The compound resulting from the benefits of dried flowers can delay buildup of plaque in blood vessels. It’s what makes the blood pressure becomes more stable with the treatment of Paper flower.

    11. Prevent Inflammation of the Stomach

    Inflammation of the stomach may cause several disorders one of which is the inflammation of the more severe stages. To overcome this leaf extract of Paper flower can be used as a natural remedy to cure the inflammation in the intestine. Chemical compounds in the leaves can cause protective effects and soothing to the intestine. This step is very important to maintain the health of the stomach and intestines.

    12. Antiseptic property

    When common people praise Paper flower for its beautiful colors, the medical personnel praise Paper flower for its antiseptic property. It enables us to use Paper flower infusion as cleanser. We can use it for facial cleanser which deep clean skin and prevent acne. Or else, we can also use the infusion to keep vaginal health.

    13. Maintaining the Balance of Cholesterol

    Amount of LDL and HDL cholesterol in the body is very dependent from the type of food consumed. Too much bad cholesterol can increases the risk of disease high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack and stroke.

    Consumption of tea from flowers of Paper flower plant has done since ancient times in Mexico. Extracts from the leaves of Paper flower helps to maintain balance of cholesterol and blood pressure.

    Traditional uses and benefits of Paper flower

    • Bougainvillea glabra (mainly leaves) have been used by traditional practitioners of Mandsaur for variety of disorders like diarrhea, excessive stomach acidity, cough and sore throat in India.
    • Decoction of dried flowers is used for blood vessels and Leucorrhoea.
    • Decoction of the stem is used for hepatitis.
    • Plant has been reported to be used by traditional medicine practitioners for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
    • Leaves are considered to have anti-inflammatory activity.
    • The leaves are anthelmintic and antibacterial.
    • It is most commonly used as a tea for cough, sore throat, flu, fever, diarrhea, and diabetes.
    • It is also used for hepatitis and liver problems, asthma, bronchitis, to reduce stomach acidity, dissolve blood-clots, to regulate menstruation and stop leucorrhea, and for anemia associated with gastrointestinal bleeding and epigastric pain.
    • An infusion of the flowers of B. glabra used as treatment for low blood pressure in Panama.
    • Nupe people of Niger use a crude extract of leaves for diabetes.

    Other facts

    • B. glabra is popularly cultivated as ornamental landscape features, garden, potted and indoor plants and can also be used for bonsai.
    • Juice obtained from flowers of Bougainvillea glabra could be used to differentiate solutions in pH range of 7–10 because it showed different colors at each pH from 7 to 10.
    • It afforded similar results as obtained by phenolphthalein and could be used as an acid-base indicator.
    • The plant is traditionally grown in living fences in the northwestern Himalayas, where it helps to exclude livestock and other animals.
    • Wood is light in weight, soft, porous and with a very low durability and is only used for rural constructions and for fuel.
    • Postal stamp was issued by the Indian Postal Department to commemorate this flower.
    • Best blooming occurs when the night length and day length are almost equal.

    Problems with Paper flower

    It is not common for Bougainvillea glabra to be affected by pests and diseases, but some problems may appear due to unbalanced feed and poor conditions.

    Overfeeding will produce masses of foliage but very little in the way of colorful bracts.

    The old established method of forcing flowers is to withhold water to a point of causing severe stress to the plant.

    Caterpillars, aphids and scale may infest Bougainvillea glabra plants.

    Treatment: Use an appropriate pesticide to eliminate these pests.

    Bougainvillea glabra may also develop chlorosis as response to mineral deficiencies:

    • Nitrogen deficiency: Older leaves turn a pale green and the veins are usually a reddish color. New growth will be stunted.
    • Phosphorus deficiency: The veins will turn red to purple and the plant as a whole will look purplish.
    • Potassium deficiency: Causes the edges of older the leaves to be a purple color and the leaf tips will be a brownish color.
    • Magnesium deficiency: First appears on older leaves where they turn a spotted yellow or tan color.
    • Zinc deficiency: (rare) Will look almost like magnesium but here the leaf will be twisted.
    • Iron deficiency: Young growth is stunted and pale, but the veins on the leaf remain green.
    • Calcium deficiency: Dead areas appear in young growth and the tips soon die.

    Treatment: Recommended remedy for any of the deficiencies above is the application of a complete micronutrient blend.

    Root rot: Root rot will appear when plants are over-watered or are subjected to water logged conditions.

    Treatment: These situations are easier to be prevented. Apply broad spectrum fungicides during transplanting or planting in landscape.

    Fungal and Bacterial Leaf Spot: Fungal and Bacterial Leaf Spot (Pseudomonas and ropogonis) infections appear as dark necrotic spots on leaves and bracts and puckered and distorted growth. Defoliation will occur when leaf spotting, blighting or marginal necrosis becomes severe. Care must be taken that fungus does not invade other trees and shrubs around.

    Treatment: Maintaining dry foliage is the primary control measure. Remove and dispose infected leaves and/or plants from the growing area. Apply fungicides as preventive measure.

    References:

    https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=19683#null

    https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=7511

    https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=BOGL4

    https://bie.ala.org.au/species/http://id.biodiversity.org.au/node/apni/2915828

    https://wikivisually.com/wiki/Bougainvillea_glabra

    http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2680754

    http://www.maltawildplants.com/NYCT/Bougainvillea_glabra.php

    https://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/266319

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bougainvillea_glabra

    https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/BOUGL

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5414450/

    https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/6343/fbe77a575f5c6892cddaf25fff8ac6065b39.pdf

    http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Bougainvillea+glabra

    http://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Bougainvillea.html

    https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-017-8748-2_33

    https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/109866

    http://www.plantsrescue.com/tag/bougainvillea-glabra/

    https://landscapeplants.aub.edu.lb/Plants/GetPDF/38f28348-43e0-4963-9270-a0d4743b7336

    76%
    76%
    Awesome

    Comments

    comments

    Herbs and Spices P
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleHow an Optician Differs from an Optometrist
    Next Article Health Benefits of Moth Mullein

    Related Posts

    Uses of Monkey Pitcher plant

    April 16, 2024

    Traditional uses and benefits of Wild Marigold

    March 21, 2024

    Traditional uses and benefits of Drooping fig

    March 12, 2024

    Comments are closed.

    Paper Flower Scientific Classification

    Scientific Name: Bougainvillea glabra

    Rank Scientific Name & (Common Name)
    Kingdom Plantae (Plants)
    Subkingdom Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
    Infrakingdom Streptophyta  (land plants)
    Super Division Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
    Division Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
    Sub Division Spermatophytina  (spermatophytes, seed plants, phanérogames)
    Class Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
    Sub Class Caryophyllidae
    Super Order Caryophyllanae
    Order Caryophyllales
    Family Nyctaginaceae (Four o’clock family)
    Genus Bougainvillea Comm. ex Juss. (bougainvillea)
    Species Bougainvillea glabra Choisy (paperflower)
    Synonyms
    • Bougainvillea brachycarpa Heimerl
    • Bougainvillea glabra var. acutibracteata Heimerl
    • Bougainvillea glabra var. alba Mendes & Viégas
    • Bougainvillea glabra var. brachycarpa (Heimerl) Heimerl
    • Bougainvillea glabra var. obtusibracteata Heimerl
    • Bougainvillea glabra var. pomacea (Choisy) Luetzelb.
    • Bougainvillea glabra var. sanderiana Bosschere
    • Bougainvillea pomacea Choisy
    • Bougainvillea rubicunda Schott
    • Bougainvillea rubicunda Schott ex Rohrb.
    • Bougainvillea spectabilis var. glabra (Choisy) Hook.
    Categories
    • Beverages (78)
    • Dairy (28)
    • Dental Health (15)
    • Equipment (5)
    • Essential OIls (196)
    • Facts (2,857)
    • Foods (252)
    • Fruits (478)
    • Giveaway (1)
    • Grains and Cereals (32)
    • Health & Beauty (654)
    • Herbs and Spices (1,247)
    • Medicines (9)
    • Mental Health (19)
    • Nutritional value (27)
    • Nuts and seeds (69)
    • Oils (81)
    • Pets (4)
    • Poultry & Seafoods (67)
    • Pulses and Beans (16)
    • Reviews (25)
    • supplement (2)
    • Vegetables (302)
    • Weight Loss (22)

    What is Zone 2 Cardio?

    Plant-Based Diets: Health Miracle or Marketing Myth?

    Popular but Dangerous Health Trends

    How Gen Z Is Redefining Self-Care in 2025

    What is “Cold Shower” Does It Actually Boost Immunity?

    Science-backed health benefits of Apple Seeds

    ABOUT
    Home
    About us
    Contact us
    Privacy Policy
    Terms & conditions
    Disclaimer
    Direct Communication
    e-mail: [email protected]
    Gmail: [email protected]
    Useful
    Health Wiki
    Nutrition
    Houston Dentist
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest
    © 2025 www.healthbenefitstimes.com All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    ×

    Log In

    Forgot Password?

    Not registered yet? Create an Account