''Acanthus ilicifolius'', commonly known as holly-leaved acanthus, sea holly, and holy mangrove, is a species of shrubs or herbs, of the plant family
Acanthaceae
Acanthaceae () is a Family (biology), family (the acanthus family) of dicotyledonous flowering plants containing almost 250 genera and about 2500 species. Most are Tropics, tropical Herbaceous plant, herbs, shrubs, or twining vines; some are epip ...
, native to Australia, Australasia, and Southeast Asia. It is used as medicine in asthma and rheumatism.
Pharmacographica indica page 58
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Description
The plant grows as a shrub, up to tall. It has shallow tap roots and occasionally develops a . Fruits are kidney-shaped.
Distribution and habitat
The species is widespread Southeast Asia, Indochina, Indonesia, the Philippines and northern Australia. It occurs in mangrove
A mangrove is a shrub or tree that grows mainly in coastal saline water, saline or brackish water. Mangroves grow in an equatorial climate, typically along coastlines and tidal rivers. They have particular adaptations to take in extra oxygen a ...
habitats.
References
Further reading
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External links
ilicifolius
Plants described in 1753
Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
{{Acanthaceae-stub