Acanthus mollis

Bear's breeches, sea dock, bear's foot plant, sea holly, oyster plant, Άκανθος η απαλή, Άκανθα, Τσουλακίδα, Απερουνιά, Μουτρούνα, Μουτζούνα, Απούρανος, Απρινιά, Τσουλαδίτσα Acanthus mollis is a herbaceous perennial plant with an underground rhizome in the genus Acanthus. It is regarded as an invasive species in some jurisdictions. For centuries, stone or bronze stylized versions of acanthus leaves have appeared as decoration on certain styles of architecture and furniture.

Acanthus mollis reaches on average 30–80 cm of height, with a maximum of 180 cm , inflorescence included. It has basal clusters of deeply lobed and cut, shiny dark green leaves, soft to the touch, up to 40 cm long and 25 cm broad, with a long petiole. The inflorescence is a cylindrical spike 30–40 cm long and can produce up to 120 flowers. The flowers are tubular, whitish, and lilac or rose in colour. Each flower is up to 5 cm long and it is surrounded by three green or purplish bracts. The central bract is spiny and larger than the other two. The calyx has two lips: the upper is purple on top, rather long and forms a kind of "helmet" on top of the corolla. The corolla is reduced to a white lower lip, trilobed, with purple-pink venation. The four stamens are fused to the corolla and look like tiny brushes. This species flowers in late spring or early summer, from May through August.

This garden plant is also quite common in the wild. It grows in dry areas, roadsides and wastelands, especially in rocky and bushy places. It is tolerant of drought and shade and generally does not exceed an altitude of 300 metres above sea level.

Acanthus mollis is difficult to eradicate because its dry capsules explode, scattering seeds over a wide area, and its roots rapidly regrow. Dense infestations occur under forest canopies where they suppress growth and hamper regeneration of native species. It may become an agricultural pest.