Acanthophyllum is a genus of flowering plant in the familyCaryophyllaceae. 107 species have been described and of these, only 68 are currently accepted. about 60 species of Acanthophyllum C. A. Mey. (Caryophyllaceae,Caryophylloideae, Caryophylleae) spread in the Irano-Turanian area.
Small, shrubby perennial plants with spiny leaves. Flowers white or pink, sessile in solitary or globose heads. Spiny bracts. Calyx cylindrical, with 5 teeth. Petals 5, entire or retuse. Stamens 20. Capsule ovoid, irregularly dehiscent from base. Reniform seeds.
Taxonomy
The genus was described by Carl Anton von Meyer and published in Verzeichness der Pflanzen des Caspischen Meeres 210, 1831. The type species is Acanthophyllum mucronatum C.A. Mey.
Accepted Species
The following species of Acanthophyllum were accepted as of October 2013.
Acanthophyllum acerosum Sosn.
Acanthophyllum aculeatum Schischk.
Acanthophyllum adenophorum Freyn
Acanthophyllum albidum Schischk.
Acanthophyllum andarabicum Podlech ex Schiman-Czeika