Sea holly facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sea holly
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Acanthaceae
Genus:	Acanthus
Species:	A. ebracteatus
Binomial name
Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl
Subspecies
A. ebracteatus subsp. ebracteatus A. ebracteatus subsp. ebarbatus
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Acanthus ebracteatus is a special plant often called sea holly or holly mangrove. It's a type of shrubby herb that grows in the undergrowth of mangrove forests. You can find it in warm places like Southeast Asia and northern Australia.

What is Sea Holly Like?

This plant can grow up to 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) tall. It often has many stems that stand up straight, spread out, or even scramble along the ground.

Leaves and Flowers

The leaves of the sea holly are dark green and feel stiff. They have sharp spines at the end of each deep part, looking a lot like the leaves of a regular holly plant.

Its flowers can be blue, purple, or white. They grow in tall spikes at the ends of the branches.

Fruit and Seeds

When the plant makes fruit, it forms a square-shaped pod. When this pod is ready, it explodes! This explosion helps to shoot the seeds up to two meters (about 6.5 feet) away from the plant. The seeds themselves are flat and off-white.

Where Does Sea Holly Grow?

You can find Acanthus ebracteatus living in the shady areas under mangrove trees. It grows naturally in many parts of Southeast Asia, including countries like Thailand and Indonesia, and also in northern Australia.

Medicinal Uses

People in places like Thailand and Indonesia use the leaves of Acanthus ebracteatus. These leaves are known to have special properties that can help protect the body. They are often used to make a type of Thai herbal tea.