Acanthus spinosus

Acanthus spinosus (= Acanthus perringii), commonly known as Spiny Bear's Breeches, is a perennial.

Contents 1 Naming 2 Taxonomy 3 Characteristics 3.1 Growth 3.2 Wood and Bark 3.3 Leaves 3.4 Flowers and Fruit 3.5 Root System 4 Distribution 5 Cultivation 6 Uses 7 Maintenance 8 Varities and Cultivars 9 Poisonousness 10 Pests and Diseases 11 Man and Acanthus spinosus 11.1 History 11.2 Acanthus spinosus in art 11.3 Symbolism 11.4 Superstition 12 See also 13 References 13.1 Literature 13.2 Footnotes 14 Non-commercial Links

[edit] Naming

Acanthus spinosus was described in 1982 by Carl Linnaeus. The name is considered as validly published.

[edit] Taxonomy

Acanthus spinosus is a species in the genus Acanthus (bear's breeches) which contains 30 species and belongs to the family of the Acanthaceae (Acanthus Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

The perennials grow to a height of approximately 1,5 meters and have a stemless habit.

[edit] Wood and Bark

[edit] Leaves

Acanthus spinosus is a decidious plant with simple leaves. They are dark green, ovate and often pinnatisect. The segments have spiny margins.

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are lipped. The plants bloom from July to August. The flowers are arranged in spikes.

The fruits are loculicidal capsules.

[edit] Root System

[edit] Distribution

Acanthus spinosus is native to south Italy, Turkey, Algeria and the Balkan Peninsula.

[edit] Cultivation

Acanthus spinosus can withstand temperatures down to -23,3º C. It grows best in sandy or pebbly, loamy soil.

[edit] Uses

[edit] Maintenance

[edit] Varities and Cultivars

[edit] Poisonousness

 Please read the health issues note! 

[edit] Pests and Diseases

[edit] Man and Acanthus spinosus

[edit] History

[edit] Acanthus spinosus in art

[edit] Symbolism

[edit] Superstition

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] Literature

• Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
• Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
• efloras.org

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] Non-commercial Links

More pictures of Acanthus spinosus in the

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• United States Department of Agriculturees:Acanthus spinosusfr:Acanthus spinosus