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Accession Data:

Acanthus montanus (Nees) T. Anderson

  • Common Name: Bear's Breech
  • Family: Acanthaceae Juss.
  • Synonym(s): Cheilopsis montana Nees

  • Country of Origin: western tropical Africa
  • Habitat: Shady and wet places. It can be found at stream borders.

  • Description: A sprawling forest understory plant that is native to tropical western Africa. Deeply lobed, ovate to lanceolate, spiny, dark green leaves (to 12" long) with acuminate tips and silvering are both showy and ornamental. Two-lipped, snapdragon-like, pink to rose flowers bloom in summer on upright flower spikes (to 10" long) which rise from the branch ends. Plants grow to 4-6' tall when in flower.3
  • Uses: This plant is used for ornamental and medicinal purposes. Leaves are used to maturate abscesses. Used as cough-medicine for women and children (infusion or leaf vegetable), chest-complaints, laxative in effect">purgative (decoction of leafy twigs), given to children as an emetic (leaf macerate). It has been used against rheumatism and some diuretic action is also mentioned. The plant is also used to protect against the devils, in purification and exorcism (Burkill 1985).2

    • IMPORTANT NOTE: Plant Uses are for informational purposes only. EEB Greenhouses assume no responsibility for adverse effects from the use of any plants referred to on this site. Always seek advice from a professional before using any plant medicinally.
  • USDA Zone: 7-10

Accession Data:

  • Accession # 198700241
  • Source:
  • Accession Date: 12-31-1987
  • Bench: 1106 - AFR:West Bench NN
    • Currently: active - healthy
    • Qty: 2 confirmed on 03-20-2025
  • Restrictions:

    Classification:

    • Division: Magnoliophyta
    • Class: Magnoliopsida
    • SubClass: euasterid I
    • Order: Lamiales
    • SubOrder:
    • Family: Acanthaceae
    • SubFamily: Acanthoideae
    • Tribe: Acantheae
    • SubTribe:

    Flowering Data:

    This accession has been observed in bloom on:
    YearJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
    2025
    2024
    2023
    2022
    2021
    2020
    2019
    2018
    2017
    2016
    2015
    2014
    2013
    2012
    2011
    2010
    2009
    2008
    2007
    2006
    2005

    References (internal):

    • Medicinal Plants
    • EEB 3271 - Systematic Botany
    • Medicinal Plants - Traditional African Medicine
    • EEB Greenhouse Holdings native to: Benin / Ghana / Niger / Togo / Central African Republic / Cameroon / Congo / Equatorial Guinea / Gabon / Angola

    References (external):

    1. The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Accessed 19 August 2015.
    2. Ghogue, J.-P. 2010. Acanthus montanus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015.2. . Downloaded on 19 August 2015.
    3. Acanthus montanus at Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed 19 August 2015.

    data regenerated on Fri, 11 Apr 2025 15:57:21 -0400 [bcm v4.0]

    Images:

    Acanthus montanus

    Additional images for this accession:

    Click on thumbnails to enlarge

    Current Accessions in the Acanthaceae

    Subfamily Acanthoideae
    Tribe Acantheae

    • Acanthus montanus
    • Aphelandra aurantiaca
    • Aphelandra sinclairiana
    • Crossandra nilotica

    Subfamily Acanthoideae
    Tribe Barlerieae

    • Barleria obtusa

    Subfamily Acanthoideae
    Tribe Justicieae

    • Dicliptera sericea
    • Ecbolium viride
    • Fittonia albivenis
    • Hypoestes phyllostachya
    • Justicia brandegeeana
    • Justicia brandegeeana "Yellow Queen"
    • Justicia carnea
    • Justicia cydoniifolia
    • Odontonema callistachyum
    • Odontonema schomburgkianum
    • Pachystachys lutea
    • Pseuderanthemum laxiflorum
    • Ruttya fruticosa
    • Streblacanthus amoenus

    Subfamily Acanthoideae
    Tribe Ruellieae

    • Brillantaisia ulugurica
    • Eranthemum pulchellum
    • Hemigraphis alternata
    • Ruellia affinis
    • Ruellia makoyana
    • Sanchezia speciosa
    • Strobilanthes dyeriana

    Subfamily Acanthoideae
    Tribe Whitfieldieae

    • Whitfieldia elongata

    Subfamily Thunbergioideae

    • Thunbergia erecta
    • Thunbergia mysorensis
    W/C = Wild Collected
    = indicates flowering in past 14 days
    = images available for this accession
    = map available for this accession
    = accession added within past 90 days
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