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CLASSIFICATION

ORDER	:  Lamiales
FAMILY	:  Acanthaceae
GENUS	:  Acanthus L.
SPECIES	:  ilicifolius L.
BOTANICAL NAME	:  Acanthus ilicifolius L.
SYNONYMS	:  ---
COMMON NAME	:  Holly leaved acanthus, holly mangrove.
TAMIL NAME	:  Kaluthai mulli.
HINDI NAME	:  Harkata.

PLANT DESCRIPTION

HABIT:  Shrub.

LEAVES :  Its opposite, shortly-stalked leaves possess spiny leaf blades that are oval to oblong, pale green with a yellowish tinge above and green below, and 5–22 cm by 2–7 cm.

FLOWERS :  Its flowering shoot is up to 20 cm long, bearing up to 20 pairs of flowers clustered in four vertical rows at its end. Its pale lilac flowers are 2–4 cm long, with three much- bracts (reduced leaves) basally.

FRUITS :  Its 4-seeded fruits are slightly flattened, ovoid, shiny green, and 2–3 cm long. They explode when ripe to expose wrinkled, whitish-green seeds that are about 1 cm long.

MEDICINAL USES

The leaves are used to treat rheumatism and wounds.

They are also used to make a soothing and softening cream. A solution of the crushed leaves may be drunk to aid childbirth.

A concoction of the leaves can be taken with the stems to promote longevity, or with the roots to improve hair conditions, and treat sores and snake bites.

Constipation and sore legs can be treated by taking a mixture of the aerial parts of the plant and ginger.

IMAGES

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