Holly mangrove (Acanthus ilicifolius)

Jeruju or holly mangrove (Acanthus ilicifolius) is a species of plant in the Acanthaceae, shrub, up to 2 meters high, taproot and yellowish white in color, cylindrical stem and not woody, slightly limp, smooth surface, brownish in color, strong and sharp spines on each leaf stalk.

A. ilicifolius has leaves with short stalks, sitting opposite and crossed, dark green in color, elongated in shape with a pointed tip and a large toothed margin with a pointed tip. Compound inflorescences in panicles 6-30 cm long. White, blue and brown crown. The fruit is ovate and 3 cm long. Kidney shaped seeds.

This species grows on beaches, river banks and muddy places with brackish water. Tolerant of flooding and high salt levels in soil with a pH of 6.8-7.2.

This plant contains alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, lignans, phenols, β-sitosterol, benzoxazinoid glucosides, arabinose, galacturonic acid, rhamnose and terpenoids. Used to treat acute and chronic hepatitis, enlarged liver and spleen, tuberculosis, skin diseases, mumps, shortness of breath, worms, gastric pain, colic, liver cancer, boils and ulcers.

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Subphylum: Angiospermae
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Subfamily: Acanthoideae
Tribe: Acantheae
Subtribe: Acanthinae
Genus: Acanthus
Species: Acanthus ilicifolius

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