ACANTHUS. Under this classical name have been described, by ancient authors, at least three totally different plants. Firstly, a prickly tree with smooth evergreen leaves, and small round saffron coloured berries, frequently alluded to by Virgil ; this is conjectured to have been the Holly. Secondly, a prickly Egyptian tree, described by Theophrastus as having pods like those of a bean ; it is probable that this was the A coda A rabica. Thirdly, a herb, mentioned by Dioscorideis, with broad prickly leaves, which perish at the approach of winter, and again sprout forth with the return of spring. It is said that the idea of the Corinthian capital of Greek columns was taken from some of the leaves of this Acanthus. To this latter plant the name is now applied. The word, in all cases, alludes to the prickly nature of the leaves or stems.
In modern botany Acanthus is a genus of herbaceous plants found in the south of Europe, Asia Minor, aud India, belonging to the natural order A ca Wham,.
The commonest species is Acanthus mollis, or Brankursine, a native of many parts of the South of Europe, growing in shady moist places, among bushes. Its stern is about two feet high, and is covered from the middle to the top with fine large white flowery, slightly tinged with yellow. The leaves are large, soft, deeply cut, hairy, and
shining, and surround the lower pert only of the stem. Both the leaves and the roots, which are perennial, abound in mucilage, which has caused them to be substituted in domestic medicine fur the marsh mallow. It is this species which is usually supposed to have given rise to the notion of the Grecian capital. But it appears, from the investigation of Dr. Sibthorp, that it is nowhere to be found, either in the Greek islands, or In any part of the Peloponnesus ; and that the plant which Dioscorides must have meant was the .Acanthus spinneus, still called &area, which is found, as be describes it, on the borders of cultivated grounds, or of gardens, and is frequent in rocky moist situations. The' species differs from A. mollia iu having a &varier stem, flowers tinged with pink instead of yellow, and spiry much more deeply cut. Both the one and the other are half-hardy perennials, increased by division of the summit of the root. They have been long cultivated in the gardens of Great Britain, but perish if not protected from severe frost.