Acanthaceae is a family of dicotyledonous flowering plants containing almost 250 genera and about 2500 species. Most are tropical herbs, shrubs, or twining vines; some are epiphytes. Only a few species are distributed in temperate regions. The four main centres of distribution are Indonesia and Malaysia, Africa, Brazil, and Central America. Representatives of the family can be found in nearly every habitat, including dense or open forests, scrublands, wet fields and valleys, sea coast and marine areas, swamps, and mangrove forests.
Thunbergia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae. It includes 150 species native to tropical and subtropical regions of sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, southern Asia, New Guinea, and Australia. Thunbergia species are vigorous annual or perennial vines and shrubs growing to 2–8 m tall. The generic name honours the Swedish naturalist Carl Peter Thunberg (1743-1828).
Acanthus is a genus of about 30 species of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae, native to tropical and warm temperate regions, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean Basin and Asia. This flowering plant is nectar-producing and depends on butterflies, such as Anartia fatima, and other nectar-feeding organisms to distribute its pollen. Common names include Acanthus and bear's breeches. The generic name derives from the Greek term ἄκανθος (akanthos) for Acanthus mollis, a plant that was commonly imitated in Corinthian capitals.
Barleria is a genus of plants in the family Acanthaceae. It includes 303 species native to the tropics and subtropics, including the Americas from Mexico to northern South America, sub-Saharan Africa, Egypt and the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian subcontinent, Indochina, southern China and Taiwan, parts of Malesia, and New Guinea.
Graptophyllum is a genus of plants in the family Acanthaceae. It includes 15 species with a disjunct distribution, with one species native to tropical Africa, and the others to New Guinea, Queensland, and the southwest Pacific Islands.
Hemigraphis is a genus of plants in the family Acanthaceae, consisting of 34 species native to tropical Asia. Hemigraphis is similar to plants the genus Strobilanthes, with some species now placed there. Its native range is Nansei-shoto and from Indo-China to New Guinea.
Thomandersia is the sole genus in the Thomandersiaceae, an African family of flowering plants. Thomandersia is a genus of shrubs and small trees, with six species native to Central and West Africa.
Afrofittonia commonly known as the hunter's weed, is a genus of plants in the family Acanthaceae. There is only one species in the genus, Afrofittonia silvestris. It is found in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Nigeria. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss due to Oil & gas drilling.
Brachystephanus jaundensis subsp. nimbae is a subspecies of flowering plant in the family Acanthaceae. It is a subshrub or shrub native to Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, and Liberia.
Justicia orbicularis is a species of plant in the family Acanthaceae. It is found in Cameroon, southern Nigeria, and on the island of Bioko in Equatorial Guinea. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests from sea level to 700 meters elevation. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Thunbergia erecta, commonly known as the bush clock vine or king's mantle, is a vibrant, evergreen species of shrub in the family Acanthaceae. Native to the forest zone stretching from Guinea-Bissau to western Cameroon, it has found significant cultivation worldwide due to its ornamental appeal and versatility. The plant is particularly known for its erect or scandent growth habit, reaching a notable height of up to five meters or more. This robust shrub displays a fascinating range of pale to dark violet-purple flowers that contribute to its visual appeal and broad popularity. Each flower measures between 5.0 to 7.5 cm in length, hosting a stark white tube at their core. This striking color contrast lends an undeniable charm to the plant, making it a favored choice in various garden settings and landscapes.
Pseuderanthemum variabile, commonly known as pastel flower or love flower in its native range, or night and afternoon in the USA, is a small perennial herb in the family Acanthaceae which is native to Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Caledonia. It can be an unwelcome nuisance in orchid nurseries in Australia.
Cornelis Eliza Bertus Bremekamp was a Dutch botanist.
Satanocrater is a small genus of flowering plants in the family Acanthaceae, disjunctly distributed in Guinea in west Africa, and Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Sudan in east Africa. They are xerophytes, and either shrubs or perennial herbs.
Ascotheca paucinervia is a species of flowering plant belonging to the family Acanthaceae. It is a subshrub or shrub native to west-central tropical Africa, ranging from southern Nigeria to Cameroon, mainland Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. It is the sole species in genus Ascotheca.
Jadunia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Acanthaceae.
Eremomastax speciosa is a species of flowering plant belonging to the family Acanthaceae.It is a subshrub or shrub native to tropical Africa, ranging from Guinea to Ethiopia, Zambia, and Madagascar. It is the sole species in genus Eremomastax.
Heteradelphia is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Acanthaceae. It includes two species native to Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, and Nigeria in western tropical Africa and to São Tomé in the Gulf of Guinea Islands.
Hulemacanthus is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Acanthaceae. It includes two species endemic to New Guinea.
Gymnophragma is a monotypic genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Acanthaceae. The only species is Gymnophragma simplex.
