Acanthus montanus (Mountain Thistle)

Native to Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Chad and nearby regions, this is an herbaceous plant in the Acanthaceae family. The mountain thistle originates from the tropical areas of western Africa yet can tolerate freeze. It is used globally as an ornamental plant. The inflorescence spikes with white to pale pink flowers and has aggressive roots that can become invasive. The plant has many medicinal benefits in African traditional medicine. Photographed in Bogotá, Colombia.