Thursday 15 December 2011

Mountain Thistle


              FLOWERS TO INDIA

                  Mountain Thistle


Common name: Mountain Thistle, Bear's Breeches
Botanical name: Acanthus montanus    Family: Acanthaceae (Ruellia family)



Mountain Thistle is a thinly branched perennial with basal clusters of oblong to lance-shaped glossy, dark green leaves reaching up to a foot long. Leaves are shallow to deeply lobed, toothed with short spines, dark glossy green above and pale green below, and have silver marks. The plant reaches up to 6 feet tall and about 2 ft wide. Spikes of pale pink flowers appear from summer to fall. It prefers shady situations and occasional deep watering, but tolerates sunny, dry situations too. Its aggressive roots make this plant perfect for slopes. Mountain Thistle is native to Africa, cultivated in India. 

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