Bear's breech
Acanthus mollis

Family: Acanthaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.

It can become a weed.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in sunny or slightly shaded places. It grows in well drained soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, Canada, Croatia, Europe (country/location of origin), Italy, Mediterranean, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Portugal, Tasmania

How it is used for food

It is a famine food.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from tubers.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Acanthus hispanicus Loudon; Acanthus latifolius E. Goeze; and others