Lucknow: Scientists at the National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) here have claimed to have developed a new variety of bougainvillea.

Bougainvillea is a popular flowering plant grown widely throughout India.

"The pattern of different colours and shades of the new variety sets it apart from the normal bougainvillea," NBRI's floriculture head B.K. Banerjee told sources.

The first-of-its-kind variety has various shades of green and white tissues, he added.

Called Los Banos Variegata-Jayanthi, the bougainvillea can be grown in pots and is suitable for landscaping and topiary, scientists said.

The new variety has been registered with the International Bougainvillea Registration Authority, New Delhi, they added. IANS