Bougainvillea+spectabilis

Living Systems Practical Sex, rewards and pollination
=**PLANT**//**: __BOUGAINVILLEA SPECTABILIS__**//=

Group Members: Sarah, Christine, Audrey, Ray, Irem WED 10am Lab 302

Bougainvillea prefers a subtropical to tropical climate where it can cling and grab to other plants to reach sunglight.
 * Plant species**: //Bougainvillea spectabilis//
 * Plant family:** //Nyctaginaceae//
 * Common name**: Bougainvillea
 * Distribution**:Europe, Australia, North America, Philippines, Africa, India
 * Habitat**: Its usual habitat is located amongst lush vegetation with thick fores, especially rainforests.
 * Inflorescence**: Can form many clusters ranging from a length of 5 - 25cm
 * Flowers**: Small, white on the outside, green on the inside
 * Fruit**: No
 * Seed**: No

//**The bougainvillea plant is not an endagered plant as it is very abundant in the wild. Out in the wild, its vines spread very quickly thus can cover a large area in short period of time. There are many types of boougainvillea that has been changed to suit different environments. As well, there are various colours of these plants. These plants are highly found in houses as they easily grown and great in covering fences. It can also be made as indoor houseplants and kept small through bonsai techniques.**//



T




 * Figure1:** A bunch of bougainvillea flowers.

**Floral Morphology**


 * || Flower number || Shape || Colour || Length of PETALS || Width || Height || Stigma/anther distance || Tube || Tubelength || Nectar volume L || Sugar Brix ||~  ||
 * ||  ||   ||   || mm || mm || mm || mm || Y or N || mm || microL || % ||~   ||
 * || 1 || bell || white || 8 || 35 || 37 || 5 || Y || 19 || 0.81 || 2.8 ||~  ||
 * || 2 || bell || white || 9 || 55 || 35 || 6 || Y || 17 || 0.78 || 2.1 ||~  ||
 * || 3 || bell || white || 7 || 42 || 36 || 8 || Y || 17 || 0.82 || 1.9 ||~  ||
 * || 4 || bell || white || 6 || 37 || 39 || 8 || Y || 17 || 0.82 || 2.3 ||~  ||
 * || 5 || bell || white || 8 || 36 || 37 || 4 || Y || 15 || 0.80 || 1.9 ||~  ||
 * || 6 || bell || white || 9 || 30 || 43 || 7 || Y || 16 || 0.79 || 2.4 ||~  ||
 * || 7 || bell || white || 9 || 36 || 38 || 8 || Y || 29 || 0.84 || 1.9 ||~  ||
 * || 8 || bell || white || 7 || 34 || 40 || 5 || Y || 28 || 0.86 || 2.0 ||~  ||
 * || 9 || bell || white || 9 || 38 || 39 || 6 || Y || 16 || 0.78 || 2.7 ||~  ||
 * || 10 || bell || white || 10 || 31 || 25 || 7 || Y || 18 || 0.80 || 2.6 ||~  ||
 * || **Average** || **bell** || **white** || **7.2** || **37.1** || **36.9** || **6.4** || **Y** || **19.2** || **0.81** || **2.26** ||~  ||


 * Figure 2:** A digital refractometer was used to measure the sugar content of the extracted nectar.,


 * Figure 3:** measuring the height of the bracts using some calipers.


 * Figure 4:** A glass capillary tube was used to take nectar from the inside of the flower.


 * Figure 5:** Using calipers to measure the actual length of the flower of the bougainvillea
 * Figure 6:** Using calipers to measure the width of the bougainvillea including the bracts.


 * Figure 7:** Dissecting the carpel(pistil) to reveal the male and female parts of the flower.

Pollen (x40) Stamen with pollen (x4)

The Bracts around the flower are coloured, which helps to attract pollinators to the plant.
 * Potential Pollinators:** Small insects. The opening in the flower is small only enough to fit small insects, or insects with mouths, that have long tongues such as bees.

Nectar information:
We found a small amount of nectar present in the flowers, with acts a a reward for visiting pollinators.

Pollen information
The pollen is fluorescent, when placed under UV light, therefore attracts many pollinators. The pollen is round in shape.