ACANTHUS MOL'LIS. 
SOFT ACANTHUS, 
Class. Order. 
DIDYNAMIA. ANGIOSPERM lA. 
Natural Order. 
ACANTHACE^. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Duration 
Introduced 
Italy. 
3 feet. 
July to Sep. 
Perennial. 
in 1548. 
No. 920. 
The generic name, Acanthus, is derived from the 
Greek, and signifies a spine : this characterizes 
some of the species. The Acanthus mollis was 
known to our old English botanists ; and, by them 
propagated from imported seeds, whence probably 
arose the variation in different individuals of the 
species ; some being much more spiny than others, 
although in all the varieties, unlike the spinosa, 
the spines are inoffensive. 
Of this plant mention may be found in the old 
pharmacopoeas, under the name of Brank-ursine, 
both its leaves and roots having been employed 
medicinally, possessing much the same qualities as 
Marsh-mallow; that is, emollient and demulcent. 
Some authors have given to this plant the mem- 
orable distinction of having originated the Corin- 
thian Order of architecture. See No. 508. 
The Acanthus mollis is best suited to a situation 
in front of the shrubbery, where herbaceous plants 
are admitted. It should remain undisturbed for 
several years, when it will throw up strong undi- 
vided stems of flowers, from three to four feet high, 
of showy character. 
