Bougainvillea buttiana had the highest xylene removal among thirteen plants.
Microorganism-associated Bougainvillea leaves enhanced in quicker xylene removal.
Xylene metabolites by Bougainvillea stems were investigated.
E. cloacae LSRC11, Staphylococcus sp. A1 and P. aeruginosa involved in xylene removal.
Bougainvillea stems played a major role in xylene uptake in plant cells.