Acanthus is a genus of about 30 species of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae, native to tropical and warm temperate regions of the Roman World, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean Basin and Asia. Common names include Acanthus and Bear's breeches. The generic name is derived from the Greek word ακανθος (acanthos), meaning "thorny."
The genus comprises herbaceousperennial plants, rarely subshrubs, with spiny leaves and flower spikes bearing white or purplish flowers. Size varies from in height.