Bear's-breech is a herbaceous perennial plant with spiky leaves and tall spikes of white or pink flowers. It is also known as acanthus and is commonly used in ornamental gardening. A few synonyms for bear's-breech include Acanthus mollis, the soft-leaved or common bear's-breech, Acanthus spinosus, the spiny bear's-breech, and Acanthus hungaricus, the Hungarian bear's-breech. All three species are native to the Mediterranean region and have been cultivated in Europe and North America as ornamental plants. The name "bear's-breech" is derived from the shape of the plant's leaves, which resemble the furry backsides of bears.
