Acanthus mollis

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

Family: Acanthaceae Synonym(s): Acanthus hispanicus, Acanthus latifolius, Acanthus longifolius

Plant

Taken by Ken Harrington on 23rd November, 2011 at Kalbeeba, South Australia

Leaves

Taken by Unknown Photographer

Flowers

Taken by Ken Harrington

Expand all

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

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

Plant Shape

Bun - Broad

Growth Rate

Very Fast

Life Span

5-10yrs

Leaf Properties

Colour (front)

Glossy, Green Dark

Glossy,

Green Dark

Colour (back)

Green Dark

Shape(s)

Lobed Bipinnately

Aroma

None

Texture (front)

Glossy

Smooth

Glossy,

Smooth

Texture (back)

Dull

Leaf Length(s)

300-325mm

Leaf Width(s)

200-250mm

Margin

Lobed

Cross Section(s)

Concave ribbed

Venation(s)

Reticulate

Arrangement

Basal or Radial

Apice(s)

Obtuse

Base(s)

Hastate

Attachment

Petiolate

Bark / Stem / Culm Properties

Colour(s) Upper

Green

Texture(s) Upper

Smooth

Trunk / Stem Construction(s)

Pith Continuous

Flower Properties

Gender: Bisexual

Time(s)

Spring - Summer

Flower Colour(s)

White

Flower Shape(s)

Labiate

Flower Size(s) Width

20-25mm

Petal Shape(s)

Obovate

Aroma(s)

None

Arrangement(s)

Spike

Petal Number

Fruit Properties

Type

Capsule - Loculicidal

Shape(s)

Obovate

Outer Colour(s)

Brown Light

Outer Texture

Hairs-Sparse

Length

10-15mm

Seed Properties

Colour(s)

Black

Shape(s)

Orbicular

Texture(s)

Hairs-Slightly

Seed Length

1-2mm

Seed Number

3-5

Root Properties

Type

Rhizome Stoloniferous

Texture

Fleshy-Very , Pliable , Soft

Fleshy-Very,

Pliable,

Soft

Colour(s)

Cream

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

Dry

Moist,

Dry

Fertile , Deep

Fertile,

Deep

Salinities

None

Other Properties / Uses

Bee Attraction

Moderate

Bird Attraction

Nectar, Insect

Nectar,

Insect

Butterfly Attraction

Poor

Frog Habitat

None

Carbon Sequestration Potential

None

Wood Density

N/A

Coastal

None

Edible(s)

None

Fire Regeneration(s)

Rhizome

Fire Retarding

Moderate

Drought Tolerance

Poor

Frost Tolerance

Poor

Snow Tolerance

None

Smog Tolerant

Moderate

Indigenous Use(s)

None

Landscape Use

Good

Street Use

None

Commercial Use(s)

None

Maintenance(s)

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

Propagation

Crown Division, Fresh Seed

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.

Propagation Notes

Expand all

Fresh Seed

Flowering

Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan

Seed Collecting

Mar, Apr, May

Sowing

Sep, Oct, Nov

Material Preparation

With leather gloves on, carefully pull the balled heads from spike. Once dry, rub between gloved hands to remove the burrs and break the head up to release the individual seeds. Clean. Store in a cool dark place.

Viability:-

Seeds/gram:-

Propagating Mix

Premium Seed Raising Mix

Treatment

Sow fresh seed, cover with mix, fine gravel, keep moist, place outside.

Viable seeds/gram:-

Germination time:-

Crown Division

Flowering

Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan

Division

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Material Preparation

For field collected stock, choose small to medium clumps. Dig up and remove half of the foliage on site. Wash all soil from the roots. Carefully prize apart the root system for each section of the clump, ensure each section has roots attached. Remove damaged roots. Reduce the number of stems per section by 50%. Drop all sections into a mild solution of Phosacid bath to kill any Phytopthera etc, from the field collection. Drain. Keep moist during preparation.

For nursery stock, remove from the pot. Carefully prize apart the root system for each clump, ensure each section has roots attached. Remove damaged roots. Reduce the number of stems per section by 50%. Keep moist during preparation.

Propagating Mix

Premium Potting Mix

Treatment

Keep hydrated during prep. Pot up as soon as possible. Water in with dilute 30ml Seasol and 10ml Plant Starter solution to 5 lt. water.

Strike Rate:- Nursery Stock 95%

Rooting time:- Nursery Stock 3 - 4 weeks

Pot Mix:- Premium Potting Mix

Fresh Seed

Seed Collecting

Feb, Mar, Apr, May

Sowing

Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Suckers

Cutting

Sep, Oct, Nov