Acanthus

n. any of a number of Mediterranean plants having spiny leaves and white or purplish flowers

Acanthus (plural: acanthus, rarely acanthuses (English) or acanthi (Latin), or feminine form - acantha) is the Latinized form of the Greek Acanthos or Akanthos. It can also be used as the prefix Acantho-, meaning 'thorny'. It may refer to:BotanyAcanthus (genus), in botany, is both a common name and a genus of flowering plantAcantho, as a prefix, is used in botany for spiny-fruited (Acanthocarpous) or spiny-branched (Acanthocladous).Acanthus (ornament), form in architecture and in leather carving derived from the acanthus plant.
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Noun
1. any plant of the genus Acanthus having large spiny leaves and spikes or white or purplish flowers; native to Mediterranean region but widely cultivated
(hypernym) herb, herbaceous plant
(hyponym) bear's breech, bear's breeches, sea holly, Acanthus mollis
(member-holonym) genus Acanthus

n. (Botany) acanthus, any of a number of Mediterranean plants having spiny leaves and white or purplish flowers

(n.)
An ornament resembling the foliage or leaves of the acanthus (Acanthus spinosus); -- used in the capitals of the Corinthian and Composite orders.
  

(n.)
A genus of herbaceous prickly plants, found in the south of Europe, Asia Minor, and India; bear's-breech.