Acanthus

/ɐkˈɑːnθəs/

/ɐkˈænθəs/

Acanthus

any plant of the genus Acanthus having large spiny leaves and spikes or white or purplish flowers; native to Mediterranean region but widely cultivated

a decorative motif commonly used in architecture, characterized by the stylized representation of the leaves of the acanthus plant

Examples

1. These are acanthus leaves.

2. Along with acanthus, it includes tobacco leaves.

3. But acanthus leaves?

4. This is called an acanthus plant, a-c-a-n-t-h-u-s. Acanthus plants grow all over Italy.