1) Having prickly growths 
• (a.) Armed with prickles, as a plant. • (a.) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, the family of plants of which the acanthus is the type.
Ac'an·tha'ceous adjective 1. Armed with prickles, as a plant. 2. (Botany) Of, pertaining to, or resembling, the family of plants of which the acanthus is the type. 
acanthaceous Bearing prickles or spines.
having prickly growths. · belonging to the plant family Acanthaceae. Cf. acanthus family.