Bougainvillea spectabilis a vigorous, woody vine or bush which produces vibrant colors (reds, crimsons, purples and yellows), is very common in South Florida. The natural colorants are present in large paper-like bracts that surround its small white tubular flowers. This vibrant color is from compounds called betacyanins (e.g. 1). These betacyanins are a source of natural coloring agents for the food and pharmaceutical industry, especially in low acid food (stable between pH 3 and 7). Interest in natural food colorants is growing due to increasing consumer critique of synthetic dyes. Currently these compounds are most often extracted for such purposes from red beets. We are investigating levels, speciation and extraction of these compounds from the renewable source of Bougainvillea sp. bracts. These compounds also have medicinal properties as antioxidants. These species exhibit multiple colors (as mentioned, some species exhibit yellows from the related betalains, betaxanthins [e.g. 1]) meaning more than just a natural red coloring agent is potentially extractable from these species.