Acanthus is agenus of about 30 species offlowering plants in the familyAcanthaceae, native to tropical and warm temperate regions, with the highest species diversity in theMediterranean Basin andAsia. This flowering plant isnectar-producing and depends onbutterflies, such asAnartia fatima, and other nectar-feeding organisms to distribute its pollen. Common names includeAcanthus andbear's breeches. The generic name derives from the Greek termἄκανθος (akanthos) forAcanthus mollis, a plant that was commonly imitated inCorinthian capitals.[3][4]
The genus comprisesherbaceousperennial plants, rarelysubshrubs, with spiny leaves and flowerspikes 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). Retrieved2 February 2019.
^Wostmann, R; Leibezeit, G (2008). "Chemical composition of the mangrove hollyAcanthus ilicifolius (Acanthaceae)—review and additional data".Senckenbergiana Maritima.38:31–37.doi:10.1007/BF03043866.S2CID38592501.
