Acanthus
(from akanthos, a spine; several species being spiny or prickly). Bear's Breech. ORD. Acanthaceae. A group of stately, ornamental perennial plants, mostly hardy, remarkable for their vigorous growth and beautiful foliage. Flowers sessile, crowded, spicate; corolla tubular, one-lipped; lip three lobed. To attain perfection they require a deep soil, and a situation fully exposed to the sun. They will, however, thrive moderately well in common soil and partial shade. The habit being generally a bold one, they are most suited for isolated tufts, backgrounds of mixed borders, and the wild garden. Propagated by seeds, sown in gentle heat, or by division of the roots, in autumn or early spring.
A. carduifolius (thistle-leaved). fl. blue. August. h. 3ft. Cape of Good Hope, 1816. Greenhouse species.
A. hispanicus (Spanish). fl. white. August. l. large, shining, and deeply cut. h. 2ft. Spain, 1700.
A. longifolius (long-leaved).* fl. purple, rose, in the axils of the bracts, which are oval, acuminate, spiny, of a reddish hue, forming a spike nearly 1ft. long. June. l. radical, 2ft. to 3ft. long; numerous. h. 3ft. to 4 1/2ft. Dalmatia, 1869.
A. lusitanicus (Portugal). Synonymous with A. mollis latifolius. A. mollis (soft).* fl. white or rose, sessile in the axils of the deeply-toothed bracts; spikes about 1 1/2ft. Summer. l. sinuated, unarmed, heart-shaped in outline, 2ft. long by 1ft. broad. h. 3ft. to 4ft. Italy, 1548.
A. m. latifolius (broad-leaved).* A variety of A. mollis, but larger and more robust in every part. This very handsome form is probably the best grown; it is one of the most suitable for subtropical gardening. A warm sunny spot is needful. SYN. A. lusitanicus.
A. montanus (mountain).* fl. rose. August. h. 3ft. West Africa, 1865. A shrubby species.
A. niger (black). fl. purplish white. July to September. l. sinuated, unarmed, glabrous, shining green. h. 3ft. Portugal, 1759.
A. spinosissimus (most spiny).* fl. rosy, sessile, on a very handsome spike, with acute, recurved spines. Autumn. l. laciniate, pinnatifid, blistered, spiny; spines white. h. 3 1/2ft. South Europe, 1629.
A. spinosus (spiny).* fl. purplish, spicate; sepals spiny. Summer. l. deeply and regularly cut, each division terminated by a short spine. h. 3ft. to 4ft. South Europe.