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Acanthus mollis
| Family Name: | Acanthaceae |
| Synonyms: | Acanthus latifolius, Acanthus longifolius, Acanthus niger, Acanthus platyphyllus, Acanthus spinosissimus |
| Common Name: | Bear's Breeches |
The Bear's Breeches (Acanthus mollis) plant is a herbaceous perennial shrub with large attractive leaves and showy inflorescence. This plant tolerates a wide range of soil, but they grow best in fertile, well-drained soils under semi-shade condition. The flowers are 2-lipped with white to purple petals and can be propagated via rhizomes.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Open |
| Maximum Height | 0.9 m to 1.5 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.6 m to 0.9 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Western Asia to Southeastern Europe |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Temperate |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A herbaceous perennial shrub growing up to 1.5 m tall and 0.9 m wide. It has large attractive leaves and showy inflorescence. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The glossy, dark green leaves are large up to 0.6 m long. They are deeply lobed and soft-spiny, growing near the base of the plant. |
| Flowers | Flowers are borne in inflorescence called spikes. Each flower is 2-lipped and can be white or pink, covered by spiny purple bracts. |
| Cultivation | This plant can tolerate a wide range of soil, but best in fertile, well-drained soils. It does not survive well under poorly drained soil. Provide semi-shade condition. The plant can tolerate full sun but provide slight shade to prevent scorching on leaves. This herb can be propagated via rhizome. Remove flowering stalks after the plant has finished blooming. It is best to plant in containers as the plant spreads easily via its rhizomes. |
| Etymology | The genus Acanthus means thorny or spiny, in reference to the toothed leaf margins of some species. The species epithet mollis means soft hairs. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | The plant is suitable as specimen in container planting or garden borders. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Flowers |
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, Flowerbed / Border |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Aggressive Roots, Invasive / Potentially Invasive |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Potential Problems | The plant can grow aggresively under optimum conditions if the roots are not taken out fully. |
| Propagation Method | Root Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Basal |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Margin | Palmately Lobed |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White, Pink |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 30589 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 4898 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
