Acanthaceae (also known as Thunbergia, Acanthus): A plant family of the order Lamiales. It is characterized by simple leaves in opposite pairs, cystoliths (enlarged cells containing crystals of calcium carbonate), and bilaterally symmetrical and bisexual flowers that are usually crowded together. The common name for Ru

NIH MeSH · D027901Organisms

Acanthaceae

Also known asThunbergia · Acanthus · Hypoestes · Ruellia · Hygrophila

Definition

A plant family of the order Lamiales. It is characterized by simple leaves in opposite pairs, cystoliths (enlarged cells containing crystals of calcium carbonate), and bilaterally symmetrical and bisexual flowers that are usually crowded together. The common name for Ruellia of wild petunia is easily confused with PETUNIA.

MeSH classification

  • B01.875.800.575.912.250.583.040

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Related concepts

Agastache

A plant genus of the family LAMIACEAE that contains tilianin, agastanol, and agastaquinone (a cytotoxic diterpenoid quinone).

Ajuga

A plant genus of the family LAMIACEAE that contains cyasterone, ajugasterone, 20-hydroxyecdysone, 8-acetylharpagide (an iridoid glycoside).

Common questions about Acanthaceae

What does Acanthaceae mean in medicine?
A plant family of the order Lamiales. It is characterized by simple leaves in opposite pairs, cystoliths (enlarged cells containing crystals of calcium carbonate), and bilaterally symmetrical and bisexual flowers that are usually crowded together. The common name for Ruellia of wild petunia is easily confused with PETUNIA. This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is Acanthaceae known by any other names?
Yes. Acanthaceae is also referred to as Thunbergia, Acanthus, Hypoestes, Ruellia in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does Acanthaceae sit in the medical classification?
Acanthaceae falls under the broader medical category "Organisms" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: B01.875.800.575.912.250.583.040). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Acanthaceae?
For a plain-language explanation of Acanthaceae - including symptoms, treatments and what it means for an Indian patient - ask GoDavaii's Health AI. It works in 22+ Indian languages, is free and needs no signup. Tap "Ask GoDavaii AI about Acanthaceae" above.

Source: NIH MeSH 2026 (D027901) — National Library of Medicine, public domain. View official MeSH record ↗