Acanthus polystachyus Delile

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Photo: Bart Wursten
Greystone Park NR

Synonyms:	Acanthus pubescens (Oliv.) Engl.
Common names:
Frequency:	Rare
Status:	Introduced
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. The name has been updated in line with the treatment of Acanthus in FTEA.
Derivation of specific name:	pubescens: pubescent, with soft short hairs
Habitat:	In grassy areas, e.g. on roadsides
Altitude range: (metres)
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Native to Burundi, Rwanda, DRC, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania.
Zimbabwe distribution:	C
Growth form:	S
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects (whose larvae eat this species):
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Literature:

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Flora of Zimbabwe: cultivated Acanthus polystachyus page
African Plant Database: Acanthus polystachyus
Biodiversity Explorer (Biodiversity of southern Africa): Acanthus polystachyus
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Acanthus polystachyus
ePIC (electronic Plant Information Center): Acanthus polystachyus
Flora Zambesiaca web site: Acanthus polystachyus
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
GRIN (Germplasm Resources Information Network) taxonomy for plants report for Acanthus polystachyus
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Acanthus polystachyus
JSTOR Plant Science: Acanthus polystachyus
Kew Herbarium catalogue: Acanthus polystachyus
Tropicos: Acanthus polystachyus
West African Plants database: Acanthus polystachyus