Acanthus
Acanthus (plural: Acanthuses (English) or Acanthi (Latin)
In Botany: common name for a genus, Acanthaceae, of herbaceous prickly plants; any plant of this genus which is characterized by large spiny leaves and spikes and white or purplish flowers; native to the Mediterranean. Several species (especially the spinosa and mollis) are widely cultivated perennial ornamentals (see horticulture). Also called bear's breech
In Architecture: ornamentation in the capitals of the Corinthian and Composite orders which depict or resemble this foliage.
Apparently acanthus plant motifs appear extensively in Medieval, Renaissance artwork, particularly in sculpture and wood carving and in friezes