Acanthus montanus, also known as bear's breech or mountain thistle, and in Igbo as ogwu_ahga (in Agbani, Enugu State, Nigeria), is a species of flowering plant in the genus Acanthus. It is native to tropical Africa, growing in wet and shady habitats such as stream borders.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Tracheophytes
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Eudicots
- Clade: Asterids
- Order: Lamiales
- Family: Acanthaceae
- Genus: Acanthus
- Species: A. montanus
Distribution and Habitat
- Native range: Tropical Africa, including:
- Sierra Leone (West Africa)
- From Benin to Chad
- Zambia and Angola (Central Africa)
- Habitat: Wet, shady places such as stream borders; can also grow in partially sunny locations.
Description
- Growth form: Thinly branched perennial.
- Height: Up to 6 ft (1.8 m).
- Spread: About 24 in (61 cm).
- Leaves:
- Basal clusters of oblong to lance-shaped glossy, dark green leaves.
- Leaves up to 12 in (30 cm) long.
- Features silver markings, wavy margins, and sharp thorns.
- Flowers:
- Pale pink.
- Arranged on spikes.
- Blooming season: Summer to fall.
Cultivation
- Prefers shady conditions and occasional deep watering.
- Tolerates sunny and dry situations.
- Aggressive rooting system makes it suitable for erosion control on slopes.
Common Names
- English: Bear’s breech, Mountain thistle
- Igbo (Agbani, Enugu State): Ogwu_ahga
References
- Dressler, S.; Schmidt, M. & Zizka, G. (2014). "Acanthus montanus". African plants – a Photo Guide. Frankfurt/Main: Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg.
External Links
- African Plants – A Photo Guide: Acanthus montanus(http://www.africanplants.senckenberg.de/root/index.php?page_id=78&id=3412)