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(Acanthus spinosus)
Spiny Bear’s Breech (Acanthus spinosus)
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Susan Marley
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Susan Marley
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Susan Marley | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Susan Marley | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2020-06-28T11:52:29-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Acanthus spinosus, commonly known as Spiny Bear’s Breech, is a deciduous perennial herb native to the Mediterranean region, including Southern Europe and Western Asia, where it thrives in scrubby areas and rocky woodlands. It typically grows to a height of 3-4 feet (0.9-1.2 meters) and a width of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters). The plant is characterized by its deeply lobed, spiny leaves and tall flower spikes with showy, hooded flowers that can be cream, yellow, pink, purple, red, or white, blooming in the summer. The flowers are particularly attractive to bees and other pollinators.
Spiny Bear’s Breech is valued for its striking foliage and architectural flower spikes, which add vertical interest to borders and garden designs. It is often used in herbaceous borders, Mediterranean gardens, and as a focal point in ornamental plantings. This plant prefers full sun to part shade and requires well-drained soil to prevent root rot. While it is drought-tolerant once established, it benefits from regular watering during prolonged dry periods. Acanthus spinosus is generally low maintenance but can be susceptible to snails and slugs, which may damage the leaves. It is also important to note that the plant can spread via underground rhizomes, potentially becoming invasive in some conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Spiny Bear’s Breech is valued for its striking foliage and architectural flower spikes, which add vertical interest to borders and garden designs. It is often used in herbaceous borders, Mediterranean gardens, and as a focal point in ornamental plantings. This plant prefers full sun to part shade and requires well-drained soil to prevent root rot. While it is drought-tolerant once established, it benefits from regular watering during prolonged dry periods. Acanthus spinosus is generally low maintenance but can be susceptible to snails and slugs, which may damage the leaves. It is also important to note that the plant can spread via underground rhizomes, potentially becoming invasive in some conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type:
- Height: 3-4 feet
- Width: 2-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Cream, Pink, Purple, White
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Groundcover, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Native to scrubby areas and rocky woodlands in the Mediterranean region
Other Names
Common Names: Spiny Bear’s Breeches , Spine Acanthus , Stachliger Akanthus , Acanthe Épineuse , Taggakantus , Dorniger Akanthus
Scientific Names: Acanthus spinosus , Acanthus caroli-alexandri , Acanthus spinosus subsp. spinosissimus
GBIF Accepted Name: Acanthus spinosus L.