This plant is called a paper flower because the shape of the flower sheath is thin and has paper-like characteristics. The English name for this flower is bougainvillea which is taken from the name of Sir Louis Antoine de Bougainville, a French naval soldier. Popular types of paper flowers include Bougainvillea 'Elizabeth Angus', Bougainvillea 'Red', Bougainvillea Pultonii, Bougainvillea 'Easter Parade', and Bougainvillea 'Lady Mary Baring'
