Home | > | List of families | > | Acanthaceae | > | Acanthus | > | polystachyus |
Synonyms: |
Acanthus pubescens (Oliv.) Engl. |
Common names: | Prickly acanthus (English) |
Frequency: | Occasional but potentially invasive |
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. |
Type location: |
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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: | |
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. |
National distribution: | C,E |
Growth form(s): | Shrub over 2 m. |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Literature: |
Champluvier, D. (1985). Acanthaceae Flore du Rwanda Spermatophytes Volume III Page 431. as Acanthus pubescens (Includes a picture). 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. |
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