The bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spectabilis) was first collected by Philibert Commerson on the Bougainville expedition in Brazil, subsequently by members of the party accompanying Joseph Banks on Cook's first voyage around the globe and later by Frei Velloso. A copper engraving published by Lamarck formed the basis for Willdenow's publication of the name Bougainvillea spectabilis, which is here typified with an epitype in the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris. A selective synonymy is given and early records on the introduction of this ornamental climber in Europe are critically analysed.