Saving Acanthus mollis platyphyllus in the forests of Algeria

Taxonomy:       

Kingdom:	Plantae
Phylum:	Tracheophytes
Class:	Angiosperms
Class:	Eudicots
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Acanthaceae
Genus:	Acanthus
Species:	A.Mollis Platyphyllus

             

Here’s a detailed overview of rare Acanthaceae plants in Algeria, focusing on Acanthus mollis subsp. platyphyllus and other lesser-known relatives, with ecological and conservation insights:

 

Introduction

Acanthus mollis subsp. platyphyllus , a rare and ecologically significant subspecies of the iconic Bear’s Breeches, is a botanical treasure native to Algeria’s humid coastal forests and mountainous ravines. Distinguished by its broader, softer leaves and pale pink flower spikes, this plant is a vulnerable member of the Acanthaceae family, threatened by habitat loss and climate change. Found in regions like Tlemcen and Djurdjura, it plays a crucial role in Mediterranean ecosystems while holding cultural importance in traditional landscapes. This article explores its unique features, conservation status, and where to find it in the wild.

Synonyms:  

Acanthus mollis var. viciosus

 

1.How to Identify Acanthus mollis platyphyllus:

Distribution & Rarity

Endemic to NW Africa: Found in coastal Algeria (Arzew, Tlemcen, Djurdjura) and Northern Tunisia.

Habitat: Shaded ravines, humid oak forests (Quercus canariensis), and near streams at 200–800m elevation.

Conservation Status: Vulnerable due to habitat loss (deforestation, urbanization).

Distinctive Features

Leaves: Broader (15–25cm wide) and less spiny than typical Acanthus. mollis, with a softer texture.

Flowers: Pale pink to white bracts, flowering later (June–August) than the nominate subspecies.

Taxonomy: Often confused with Acanthus spinosus but lacks sharp leaf spines

Type Of Plant	Life Cycle	Height	Flowering Time	Altitude
Herbaceous	Perennial	050 m to 1 m	June-August	800 m

 

Mediterranean	Edible	Color	Abundance	Toxicity
No		Pink to White	Scarce	Safe

 Other Common Name:

Arabic	Berber	English	French	Other Name
Al Quortas AlJazairi		Algerian acanthus	Acanthe d'Algérie	Acanto

2. Other Rare Acanthaceae in Algeria

A. Blepharis linariifolia Pers

1. Habitat: Saharan oases (Tamanrasset, Adrar).
2. Rarity: Endangered; only 3 documented populations in Algeria.
3. Uses: Seeds used by Tuareg for famine food.

B. Justicia hyssopifolia L

1. Habitat: Coastal wetlands (El Kala National Park).
2. Threats: Drainage of marshes for agriculture.

C. Thunbergia annua (Algerian endemic, debated)

1. Habitat: Rocky slopes of the Aures Mountains.
2. Note: Possibly extinct; last recorded in 1982.

3. Where to Find These Plants

Protected Areas:

1. Gouraya National Park (Bejaia).
2. Botanical Gardens: Jardin d’Essai du Hamma cultivates Acanthus for preservation.