Some similarities to : Thistle Broomrape, in that it is tall and purplish, but there the resemblance ends.

Family resemblance to : Bear's-Breech(es), but that has leaves without spiny teeth on the lobes.

Uniquely identifiable characteristics : There is no other quite like this.

No relation to : Bearberry [a plant with similar name]

A tall plant to 1 metre. There seems some confusion over its common name, variously called Bearsbreech, Bearsbreeches, Bear's Breech, or Bear's Breeches. Perhaps this confusion arises because it belongs to the Bearsbreech Family, of which there is but one member (at least in the UK).

You are more likely to find this growing in or near a garden than growing wild, although it spreads readily by way of its large localised clump of tubers and fertile seeds which are dispersed by the wind.

The genus name Acanthus comes from the Greek ακανθα meaning 'thorn', which it has in abundance on the bracts, whilst the spinosus refers to the spinyness of the leaves. The thorny spines on the bracts are stiff and sharp enough to pierce and scratch skin.