Welcome to the home of all things Acanthaceae. The Acanthaceae are among the dozen or so largest families of flowering plants. With > 4,000 species, plants in Acanthaceae occur predominantly in worldwide tropical areas but also extend into temperate biomes. Most species are herbs or shrubs, but some are vines or trees. Species of Acanthaceae play an important ecological role because many different classes of pollinators, from bees, butterflies, hawkmoths, hummingbirds, sunbirds and bats depend upon their nectar and pollen for survival. Navigate through the website to explore the diverse lineages that comprise the Acanthaceae. View pictures, explore ongoing research in the family and learn about the ecology, evolution, and ethnobotanical uses of members of Acanthaceae.
Hotspots of diversity for Acanthaceae                    
|
