2024 - Vancouver - Bear's Breeches
This multi leaf flower spotted in Vancouver's Strathcona neighbourhood caught my eye. The interest was boosted when I found out it's named a "Bear's Breeches" (Acanthus mollis).
Why they called bear's breeches:
In the 17th century they were called Brank-ursine, meaning bear's claws, possibly referring to the shape of the flowers.
Another theory is“breeches” refers, not to ursine trousers, but rather breech in the sense of the opening in the flowers that the bees use to access the pollen inside.
The leaves inspired the designs for the head (or capital) of Greek Corinthian columns.
The clumping herbaceous perennial is deemed invasive due to its spreading underground root system.
2024 - Vancouver - Bear's Breeches
This multi leaf flower spotted in Vancouver's Strathcona neighbourhood caught my eye. The interest was boosted when I found out it's named a "Bear's Breeches" (Acanthus mollis).
Why they called bear's breeches:
In the 17th century they were called Brank-ursine, meaning bear's claws, possibly referring to the shape of the flowers.
Another theory is“breeches” refers, not to ursine trousers, but rather breech in the sense of the opening in the flowers that the bees use to access the pollen inside.
The leaves inspired the designs for the head (or capital) of Greek Corinthian columns.
The clumping herbaceous perennial is deemed invasive due to its spreading underground root system.