Acanthus ilicifolius L.
Genus and species are italicised; the nomenclatural author “L.” remains upright.
Identity & Botany
Taxonomy & Botanical Identification
AAIRCResearch portal
Acanthus ilicifolius L. is a spiny mangrove-associated shrub in the family Acanthaceae. Reliable identification depends on the combination of habit, leaves, inflorescence, corolla, fruit and habitat—not on a single photograph.
Acanthaceae
A tropical family containing herbs, shrubs and climbers, many with distinctive floral structures.
Mangrove associate
A robust shrub of tidal creeks, estuarine margins and brackish wetland systems.
A. ebracteatus
Closely related material must be authenticated carefully before research or production use.
Field identification framework
Leaves
Opposite, firm and often strongly toothed or spiny, with shape varying by age and growing conditions.
Flowers & fruit
Showy pale-purple to bluish flowers occur on terminal spikes; fruits mature as capsules containing large seeds.
Voucher evidence
Research-grade identification should record locality, date, habitat, reproductive structures and voucher details.
Editorial boundary: vernacular names such as sea holly and Jeruju are useful context, but do not replace a verified botanical identity.