Practical
Plants

Acanthus mollis

Bear's Breeches

a perennial member of the Acanthus genus in the family Acanthaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1.2 m
Spread
0.6 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves and roots are astringent, detergent, emollient and vulnerary[16][15][11]. The plant contains appreciable quantities of mucilage and tannin. Traditionally it was used as a treatment for dislocated joints and for burns. A paste made from the plant, when applied to a dislocated joint, tends to normalize the affected muscles and ligaments, simultaneously relaxing and tightening them to encourage the joint back into its proper place[11]. The crushed leaves have been used as a poultice to soothe burns and scalds[12]. For internal use, the plant's emollient properties are useful in treating irritated mucous membranes within the digestive and urinary tracts[11].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Detergent
Product or use
Emollient
Product or use
Vulnerary

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The sub-species A. mollis latifolia makes a good ground cover plant[9]. Relatively slow to cover the ground at first but it can eventually become invasive[7].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
South-western Europe - Portugal to the Balkans. Naturalized in Britain in W. Cornwall[4].
Habitat
Woodland scrub and stony hillsides[14].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame[3][8] or outside as soon as the seed is ripe[3]. It usually germinates in 3 - 4 weeks at 10°c[3]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for two years before planting out in late spring or early summer[200, K]. Division in spring or autumn[2][8]. Very easy, they can be planted straight out into their permanent positions. Root cuttings - winter in a coldframe[2][8].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a deep loamy soil in a sheltered position in full sun[1] but tolerates partial shade[13][2]. Grows well in heavy clay soils if they are well-drained but dislikes heavy damp soils[2] and will not overwinter in wet soils[8]. Established plants are fairly drought tolerant[6]. Hardy to about -15°c[5], though young plants may require protection in the winter[6] and even older ones may need protection in cold winters[2]. A very ornamental plant[1]. The leaves can wilt on hot summer days when plants are grown in full sun[6]. Plants can become invasive[7], spreading by suckers, and they are difficult to eradicate due to their deep roots[6]. Does well in the lawn or wild garden[2]. Plants can be grown in quite coarse grass, which can be cut in the autumn[10]. Members of this genus are not usually browsed by deer[10].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  3. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  5. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩

  6. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  7. Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-304-31089-1

    ↩1↩2

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩

  10. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2

  11. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-85613-067-2

    ↩

  13. Brown. Shade Plants for Garden and Woodland.

    ↩

  14. Polunin. O. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-19-217626-9

    ↩

  15. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  16. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

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