Acanthus polystachyus Delile

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Greystone Park NR

Synonyms:	Acanthus pubescens (Oliv.) Engl.
Common names:	Prickly acanthus (English)
Description:	Large, vigorous, shrub-like perennial herb, up to several metres tall. Leaves large, oblong-elliptic, the coarsely undulate-dentate margins set with sharp prickles. Flowers in terminal spikes, bright pink.
Notes:	Det. from named specimens in SRGH. An occasional escape on roadsides and other disturbed areas around Harare; usually not far from gardens.
Derivation of specific name:
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Native to Burundi, Rwanda, DRC, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania.
Growth form(s):	Shrub over 2 m.
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Literature:	Maroyi, A. (2006). Preliminary checklist of introduced and naturalized plants in Zimbabwe. Kirkia 18(2) Page 193. Vollesen, K. (2013). Acanthaceae (Part 1) Flora Zambesiaca 8(5) Page 56. noted only as cultivated and spelled A.polystachius.

Flora of Caprivi: cultivated Acanthus polystachyus
Flora of Zambia: cultivated Acanthus polystachyus
Flora of Zimbabwe: Acanthus polystachyus

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Acanthus polystachyus
African Plant Database: Acanthus polystachyus
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Acanthus polystachyus
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Acanthus polystachyus
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Acanthus polystachyus
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Acanthus polystachyus
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Acanthus polystachyus
JSTOR Plant Science: Acanthus polystachyus
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Acanthus polystachyus
Plants of the World Online: Acanthus polystachyus
Tropicos: Acanthus polystachyus
Wikipedia: Acanthus polystachyus