Acanthus mollis

Today's the day ........................ for a special plant

I'm delighted to show you this wonderful plant that you might know by the name bear's breeches, sea dock, bear's foot plant or oyster plant.  It's the first time that it has actually flowered in my garden, which I put down to the fact that I moved it from where it was, into my new border - where it has had lots of sunshine this summer.

Acanthus mollis was first formally described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus in his book Species Plantarum.  It is native to the Eastern and Central Mediterranean and is pollinated only by bees or bumble bees large enough to force their way between the upper sepal and the lower, so that they can reach the nectar at the bottom of the tube.  

Interestingly, the shape of the leaf of this plant inspired the ancient Greek sculptor Callimachus (5th c. BCE) to model the capital of the Corinthian column.  For centuries, stone or bronze stylized versions of acanthus leaves have appeared as decorations on certain styles of architecture and furniture.  Apparently the Greek poet Vergil,  described Helen of Troy as wearing a dress embroidered with Acanthus leaves.

So full of history and tradition, I'm thrilled to have it in my garden ..................