Three Acanthus species (A. ebracteatus, A. ilicifolius and A. volubilis) can be found in the mangrove area in Singapore. The three species may look similar to each other though there are differences in the plant features. A. ilicifolius has light violet flowers while both A. ebracteatus and A. volubilis have white flowers. A. volubilis is a climber with smooth leaf blades. The leaves of both A. ebracteatus and A. ilicifolius are lobed with spines along the leaf blade.

1. Mangrove of Singapore

2. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN)