[1] It contains about 50 species of evergreen herbs and shrubs native to Mexico and Central America,[1] with one species extending into the southwestern United States (B. ternifolia, in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas).

[2] The genus is named in honor of Charles Bouvard (1572–1658), physician to Louis XIII, and superintendent of the Jardin du Roi in Paris.

The flowers are in terminal, generally many-flowered clusters; the corolla has a large tube and four spreading lobes; flower colour ranges varies between species, with white, yellow, pink, and red all found.

[5][6][7] Several species of Bouvardia are grown as ornamental plants, both in the tropics and indoors as houseplants in temperate regions.

Propagation of the cultivars is by cuttings taken in late spring or summer, which need to be kept at a temperature of 20 °C by night and 25 °C during the day, and shaded when required.