Acanthus is a genus of about 30 species of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae, native to tropical and warm temperate regions of the Old World, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean region and Asia. Common names include Acanthus and Bear's breeches.
The genus comprises herbaceous perennial plants, rarely subshrubs, with spiny leaves and flower spikes bearing white or purplish flowers. Size varies from 40 cm, up to 2 m tall. An example of one such plant is the Shrimp Plant which can be found in the state of Florida in the United States.
Selected species
- Acanthus balcanicus
- Acanthus dioscoridis
- Acanthus eminens
- Acanthus hirsutus
- Acanthus hungaricus
- Acanthus ilicifolius
- Acanthus mollis
- Acanthus montanus
- Acanthus polystachyus
- Acanthus spinosus
- Acanthus syriacus
Cultivation and uses
Several species, especially A. spinosa and A. mollis, are grown as ornamental plants.
The foliage is the basis of a style of architectural ornamentation; see acanthus (ornament).
References
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Last updated on Friday July 11, 2008 at 05:56:12 PDT (GMT -0700)
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