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Common Names: Bear's breech, Mountain thistle, False
thistle, Leopard’s tongue
Local Names: Nigeria: Igbo (Agbani, Enugu): Ogwu ahga, Igbo
(Asaba): Mlelonko (used for treating boils on fingers), Igbo (Onitsha, Owerri,
Awka): Agameebu, Yoruba: Ahon ekun (leopard’s tongue), Ahon ekun dudu
(leopard’s black tongue), Eekun arugbo (old man’s knee), Ijo-Izon: Edulee
imemein (leopard’s claws); Sierra Leone: Mende: Kpete-pela, Kpete-wela
Species ID: NMP-002, wfo-0000513865 ,NCBI:txid13327
Scientific
Classification
Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Clade: Asterids Order: Lamiales Family: Acanthaceae Genus: Acanthus Species: A. montanus Synonyms: Acanthus
barteri T.Anderson, Cheilopsis montana Nees Acanthus montanus is a perennial shrub with ornamental and
medicinal significance. It grows up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall and about 24
inches (61 cm) wide.
- Leaves: Oblong to lance-shaped, glossy dark green with
silver markings, wavy margins, and spiny edges
- Flowers: Pale pink to white, borne on long erect spikes
that bloom from summer to fall
- Roots: Aggressive and perfect for slopes, making it
suitable for erosion control
- Habitat: Thrives in shaded or semi-shaded tropical forest
regions, as well as in sunny and dry locations
Acanthus montanus is native to tropical regions of West and
Central Africa, including Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon, and the Congo Basin.
- Habitat: Common in high forests, woodlands, and along
slopes
- Cultivation: Widely grown in tropical gardens worldwide for
its aesthetic appeal
- Wound Healing:
- Leaves applied as poultices to
wounds and abscesses
- Congo: Heated twigs/leaves
applied to boils
- Cough and Respiratory Issues:
- Leaf infusions as cough remedies
(Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon)
- Leafy twig decoctions for
chest complaints
- Anti-inflammatory Effects: Extracts effective for rheumatic pain
- Gastrointestinal Disorders:
- Treats stomach aches and
morning sickness
- Young shoots cooked with
groundnuts/Irvingia butter
- Diuretic Properties: Pounded leaves with Costus stems and pineapple in
palm wine for urethral discharge
- Antimicrobial Properties: Used for infections and as emetic for children in
Gabon
- Heart and Circulatory Issues: Fresh young growths for heart problems
- Other Uses:
- Shoot macerates for syphilis
in Gabon
- Leaf spines for rheumatic pain
scarifications
- Protective against witchcraft
(Yoruba) and devils (Congo)
⚠ Known Toxicity:
- Contains leaf alkaloids with
potential toxicity at high doses
- Excessive use may cause
gastrointestinal irritation
- Ornamental Use: Popular
in tropical/subtropical landscaping
- Cultural and Spiritual Uses:
- Congo purification/exorcism rituals
- Yoruba protection against malevolent forces
- Ecological Importance: Robust roots for soil stabilization
- Offiah, N. V., et al.
(2011). Anti-inflammatory effects of Acanthus montanus.
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
- Noumi, E., et al.
(2018). Antimicrobial activity of Acanthaceae species. BMC Complementary
Medicine and Therapies
- Dzeufiet, P. D., et al.
(2007). Vasorelaxant effects of A. montanus. Vascular Pharmacology
- Burkill, H. M. (1985).
The Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa, Vol 4. Kew Publishing
- Dalziel, J. M. (1937).
Useful Plants of West Tropical Africa. Crown Agents
- Elujoba, A. A., et al.
(2005). Toxicity of Nigerian medicinal plants. Nigerian Journal of Natural
Products and Medicine
- Zambia Flora Entry
- West African Plants Database
- JSTOR Plant Science
- iNaturalist Guide
- Wikipedia Article
- Green Institute Nigeria
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