Botanical Name: Ancanthus mollis
Common Name: bears breeches
Family: Ancanthaceae
Distribution/Origin: Mediterranean
Leaf/Bud: deep sinuses, spikes, basal rosette
Flower/Inflorescence: spike of purple flowers, dbl lip calix, triple lip corolla, spiky bract
Fruit/Seed: capsule
Stem/Bark: purple
Size: height 3 - 5ft, spread 2 -3ft
Habit: upright inflorescence, clumping foliage
Form: spikes, spreading
Culture: tubers, part shade, grows best in less rich soil, moist well-drained soil (full sun in Vancouver)
Landscape Use: ornamental, bedding
Notes: easy to divide and transplant
