Madeira. Susanne Lipps

Bear’s Breech is native to the Mediterra-nean region and Asia Minor. As those of the Spiny Bear’s Breech (Acanthus spinosus), its leaves served as models for the ornaments at the pillar capitals of the Corinthian temple in ancient Greek. Later this symbol of fertil-ity was taken over by the Romans. Since the 15th century it has been picked up again and again in European architecture. On Madei-ra you may often find it in form of ceramic sculptures on the corners of old houses’ tiled roofs. They symbolize the large number of chil-dren that shall be bestowed upon the family.

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      In the Gardens

      Rosea Ice Plant

      Drosanthemum floribundum

      Bloom time

      From April to July.

      Characteristics