Family:
Cupressaceae
Origin:
Central and Western Mediterranean
Light:
Will lose needles and turn brown where there is no light
Temperature:
Hot dry regions that have a rainy season
Pests & Problems:
Moderately susceptible to mites and cypress canker caused by fungus

The Acanthus Mollis (shown) is a large, herb or shrub plant with lobed basil leaves and tall spikes of white, pink or purplish flowers, which last six to 10 weeks. When past bloom the plant can be cut back to 5 inches above ground for immediate new growth. Although listed as a perennial, the plant can live and produce year after year. The Greeks used the leaf pattern as design on many Corinthian columns and variations of the leaf design have since appeared throughout architectural history, including many of the Capitol buildings in Washington D.C