 The acanthus family, Acanthaceae, contains about 250 genera of mainly perennial, thistlelike shrubs native to warmer regions of the world. The name applies most commonly to about 12 species that make up the genus Acanthus. Their whitish rose to lilac flowers grow on spikes up to 46 cm (18 in) high, and the leaves are up to 60 cm (24 in) long. The spiny leaves of some species, such as varieties of the Mediterranean acanthus, A. mollis, have a hairy, attractive upper surface, and the shrubs are cultivated as border plants. Other genera are also popular, including species of Ruellia that are grown in the southern United States. |
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