acanthus

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acanthus

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | 2008 | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

acanthus , common name for a member of the Acanthaceae, a family of chiefly perennial herbs and shrubs, mostly native to the tropics. A few members of the family, many of which have decorative spiny leaves, are cultivated as ornamentals—especially the Mediterranean acanthus, or bear's-breech (genus Acanthus ), whose ornate leaves were the source of a stylized motif used in Greek and Roman art (see Corinthian order ). In Christian art the acanthus symbolizes heaven. Some species of the genus Ruellia are native to and cultivated as ornamentals in North America, chiefly in the South. Acanthus is classified in the division Magnoliophyta , class Magnoliopsida, order Scrophulariacles.

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acanthus

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | © The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology 1996, originally published by Oxford University Press 1996. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

acanthus XVII. — L. — Gr. ákanthos, f. ákantha thorn.

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T. F. HOAD. "acanthus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 2 Dec. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "acanthus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (December 2, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-acanthus.html

T. F. HOAD. "acanthus." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved December 02, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-acanthus.html

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The colourful Acanthus
Newspaper article from: New Straits Times; 9/30/2000; ; 700+ words ; ...Straits Times 09-30-2000 The colourful Acanthus Byline: Lam Peng Sam Edition: Life...Gardening Memo: (STF) - The hardy Acanthus shrubs, which have striking and colourful...are from the Mediterranean region. The Acanthus plants range from shrubs to climbers...
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NBC Sports and Acanthus Studio, Inc. Make a Big Leap by Enhancing Sports Coverage for the 2004 U.S. Open with Animated Computer Landform Models of Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in New York.
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Newspaper article from: European Venture Capital Journal; 11/1/2004; 467 words ; Placement agent Acanthus Advisers has moved offices. It will now be located at 7 Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0PE, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 7612 9570. Fax: +44 (0)20 7612 9571. Email: [firstname]@acanthus.eu.com. Website: www.acanthus.eu.com
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