Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea glabra, B. spectabilis

flower · infusion

Purple bracts steeped as a hot tea, té de bugambilia, a Mexican grandmother's remedy for coughs.

Origin

Brazil

Where to find it

Planted everywhere on walls and fences in warm countries; in Mexico, its dried bracts are sold at markets.

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

Four or five bracts per cup are simmered for five minutes; it is strained, sweetened and drunk hot.

Did you know?

What look like flowers are bracts: the real flower is the small white tube in the middle.