Acanthus mollis

Common name(s): Oyster Plant, Bear's Breeches, Bears foot, Sea dock

Family: Acanthaceae Synonym(s): Acanthus hispanicus, Acanthus latifolius, Acanthus longifolius
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Plant
Plant
Taken by Ken Harrington on 23rd November, 2011 at Kalbeeba, South Australia
Leaf
Leaves
Taken by Unknown Photographer
Flower
Flowers
Taken by Ken Harrington
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Plant Properties
Origin(s)
France
  • France: Indigenous
Algeria
  • Algeria: Indigenous
Malta
  • Malta: Indigenous
Morocco
  • Morocco: Indigenous
Portugal
  • Portugal: Indigenous
Spain
  • Spain: Indigenous
Tunisia
  • Tunisia: Indigenous
Turkey
  • Turkey: Indigenous
Plant Type
Herb-Perennial
Herb-Perennial
Climate Range(s) - Habitat
Temperate Cool, Temperate Warm, Mediterranean
Temperate Cool,
Temperate Warm,
Mediterranean
Aspect Range(s)
Sun - Full, Shade - Dappled, Shade - Heavy
Sun - Full,
Shade - Dappled,
Shade - Heavy
Habitat Range(s)
Garden, Landscape
Garden,
Landscape
Habitat Zone(s)
Moist areas, Well drained
Moist areas,
Well drained
Mature Height
700-800mm
700-800mm
Plant Shape
Bun - Broad
Bun - Broad
Bun - Broad Bun - Broad
Growth Rate
Very Fast
Very Fast
Life Span
5-10yrs
5-10yrs
Leaf Properties
Colour (front)
Glossy, Green Dark
Glossy,
Green Dark
Colour (back)
Green Dark
Green Dark
Shape(s)
Lobed Bipinnately
Lobed Bipinnately
Lobed Bipinnately Lobed Bipinnately
Aroma
None
None
Texture (front)
Glossy
Glossy
Smooth
Smooth
Glossy Glossy,
Smooth Smooth
Texture (back)
Dull
Dull
Leaf Length(s)
300-325mm
300-325mm
Leaf Width(s)
200-250mm
200-250mm
Margin
Lobed
Lobed
Lobed Lobed
Bark / Stem / Culm Properties
Colour(s) Upper
Green
Green
Texture(s) Upper
Smooth
Smooth
Smooth Smooth
Trunk / Stem Construction(s)
Pith Continuous
Pith Continuous
Pith Continuous Pith Continuous
Flower Properties
Gender: Bisexual
Time(s)
Spring - Summer
Flower Colour(s)
White
White
Flower Shape(s)
Labiate
Labiate
Labiate Labiate
Aroma(s)
None
None
Fruit Properties
Type
Capsule - Loculicidal
Capsule - Loculicidal
Capsule - Loculicidal Capsule - Loculicidal
Outer Colour(s)
Brown Light
Brown Light
Outer Texture
Hairs-Sparse
Hairs-Sparse
Root Properties
Type
Rhizome Stoloniferous
Rhizome Stoloniferous
Rhizome Stoloniferous Rhizome Stoloniferous
Soil Properties
Type(s)
Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam
Clay-loam,
Loam,
Sandy-loam
pH Range(s)
Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline, Alkaline
Slightly Acid,
Neutral,
Slightly Alkaline,
Alkaline
Condition(s)
Moist
Moist
Dry
Dry
Moist Moist,
Dry Dry
Fertile , Deep
Fertile,
Deep
Salinities
None
None
None None
Other Properties / Uses
Bee Attraction
Moderate
Moderate
Bird Attraction
Nectar, Insect
Nectar,
Insect
Butterfly Attraction
Poor
Poor
Frog Habitat
None
None
Coastal
None
None
Edible(s)
None
None
Fire Retarding
Moderate
Moderate
Drought Tolerance
Poor
Poor
Frost Tolerance
Poor
Poor
Snow Tolerance
None
None
Landscape Use
Good
Good
Maintenance(s)
Dead Heading
Dead Heading
Pests/Diseases
Downy Mildew, Powdery Mildew, Slugs, Snails
Downy Mildew,
Powdery Mildew,
Slugs,
Snails
Special Purpose(s)
Groundcover, Shade Tolerant, Shady Dry, Shady Moist, Soil Binder, Sunny Moist
Groundcover,
Shade Tolerant,
Shady Dry,
Shady Moist,
Soil Binder,
Sunny Moist
Weed Potential(s)
Australia
  • NSW: Strong
  • NT: None
  • QLD: Strong
  • SA: Strong
  • TAS: Strong
  • VIC: Strong
  • WA: Strong
  • Nth. Is.: Strong
New Zealand
  • Sth. Is.: Strong
United States
  • Cal.: Strong

General Notes

Very tough hardy plant for shady areas and will take full sun. Can be invasive in the garden and the natural landscape.