Sea Holly Mangrove (Acanthus ilicifolius)
Scientific Name: Acanthus ilicifolius — Sea Holly Mangrove.
Native Home: South and Southeast Asia, including India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Height: 0.5–2 metres.
Lifespan: Several years to over a decade, depending on growing conditions.
Uses and Harvesting
Timber: Not generally used for timber because it is a small, thorny shrub.
Harvesting: Leaves and other plant parts have been collected for traditional uses in some regions.
Age to Harvest: Leaves may be collected from established plants after approximately 1–2 years.
Products: Traditional herbal preparations and ornamental plants for suitable coastal gardens.
History and Global Production
Traditional Use: Used in some coastal communities in traditional remedies; its thorny leaves also provide shelter for small coastal wildlife.
Global Spread: Naturally distributed across tropical mangrove margins and tidal mudflats of South and Southeast Asia and nearby regions.
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