Acanthus is a
genus of about 30 species of
flowering plants in the family
Acanthaceae, native to tropical and warm temperate regions, with the highest species diversity in the
Mediterranean Basin and
Asia. This flowering plant is
nectar producing and is susceptible to
predation by
butterflies, such as Anartia fatima, and other nectar feeding organisms. Common names include Acanthus and bear's breeches. The generic name derives from the Greek term ἄκανθος (akanthos) for Acanthus mollis, a plant that was commonly imitated in
Corinthian capitals.[3][4]
The genus comprises
herbaceousperennial plants, rarely
subshrubs, with spiny leaves and flower
spikes bearing white or purplish flowers. Size varies from 0.4 to 2 m (1.3 to 6.6 ft) in height.
Acanthus ebracteatusVahl — This species occurs in South Asia, including Brunei Darussalam, China, South Taiwan, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Indonesia. In Australasia it is found in northeast Australia, northwest Australia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.
^"African Plant Database". Les conservatoire et jardin botaniques de la Ville de Genève (Conservatories and Botanic Gardens of the City of Geneva). Retrieved 2 February 2019.
^Wostmann, R; Leibezeit, G (2008). "Chemical composition of the mangrove holly Acanthus ilicifolius (Acanthaceae)—review and additional data". Senckenbergiana Maritima. 38: 31–37.
doi:
10.1007/BF03043866.
S2CID38592501.
^Bandaranayake, W. M. (1998). "Traditional and medicinal uses of mangroves". Mangroves and Salt Marshes. 2 (3): 133–148.
doi:
10.1023/A:1009988607044.
S2CID129317332.