Acanthus spinosus aka Spiny Bear's Breeches
Taxonomy
Acanthus spinosus, also known as spiny bear's breech, is a clump-forming, deciduous perennial plant in the Acanthaceae family. It is native to southern Europe, from Italy to western Turkey, and the Mediterranean. The plant grows up to 150 cm tall and 60-90 cm wide, with large, deeply-lobed, glossy, dark green leaves that have spiny margins. In early summer, it produces erect racemes of white flowers with maroon or purple bracts that resemble snapdragons. A. spinosus is a popular ornamental and herbal plant that has been intermittently cultivated since Roman times, and it is now a regular feature of herbaceous borders. Stone or bronze stylized versions of acanthus leaves have also appeared as decoration on certain styles of architecture and furniture. The showy spikes of flowers make attractive additions to cut-flower bouquets and bring a pop of color to shady spots.
Common names
Spiny Bear's Breeches, Prickly Acanthus, Spiny AcanthusHow to care for Spiny Bear's Breeches
Difficulty
Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Spiny Bear's Breeches due to its easy-going nature.
Water
Spiny Bear's Breeches should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Spiny Bear's Breeches loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
Spiny Bear's Breeches thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Spiny Acanthus.
Dormancy
During the wintertime, it's common for Spiny Bear's Breeches to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.
Toxicity
No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.
Growth-pattern
The Spiny Bear's Breeches displays clumping growth habits, with new shoots arising from the soil close to the parent plant.
More info:
Wikipedia
