Accession Data

Acanthus montanus

Common Name: Bear's Breech

Family: Acanthaceae

Synonym(s): Cheilopsis montana Nees

Country of Origin: western tropical Africa

Description: A sprawling forest understory plant that is native to tropical western Africa. Deeply lobed, ovate to lanceolate, spiny, dark green leaves (to 12" long) with acuminate tips and silvering are both showy and ornamental. Two-lipped, snapdragon-like, pink to rose flowers bloom in summer on upright flower spikes (to 10" long) which rise from the branch ends. Plants grow to 4-6' tall when in flower.3

Uses: This plant is used for ornamental and medicinal purposes. Leaves are used to maturate abscesses. Used as cough-medicine for women and children (infusion or leaf vegetable), chest-complaints, purgative (decoction of leafy twigs), given to children as an emetic (leaf macerate). It has been used against rheumatism and some diuretic action is also mentioned. The plant is also used to protect against the devils, in purification and exorcism (Burkill 1985).2

Accession Data

USDA Zone: 7-10

Accession #: 198700241

Accession Date: 1987-12-31 00:00:00

Bloom Status: 🪴 Not Flowering

Location: 1106

Quantity: 2

Classification

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Subclass: euasterid I

Order: Lamiales

Family: Acanthaceae

SubFamily: Acanthoideae

Tribe: Acantheae

Flowering Data:

This accession has been observed in bloom on:
Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005

References

  1. The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Accessed 19 August 2015.
  2. Ghogue, J.-P. 2010. Acanthus montanus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015.2. . Downloaded on 19 August 2015.
  3. Acanthus montanus at Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed 19 August 2015.

Images

Acanthus montanus
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