Acanthaceae

(a-kan-THAY-see-ee)
– a family in the Lamiales order –

Here in the St. Louis Area, we have 4 not-too-obscure plants that are in the “Acanthus” family:

• Justicia americana (Water Willow) [CC5]
• Ruellia humilis (Hairy Wild Petunia) [CC3]
• Ruellia pedunculata (Stalked Wild Petunia) [CC5]
• Ruellia strepens  (Smooth Wild Petunia) [CC3]

[CC] = Coefficient of Conservatism