Acantha

Acantha (Greek: Ἀκάνθα, English translation: "thorny") was a minor character in Greek mythology. She was a nymph loved by Apollo, the sun god. In one version of the story, Acantha refused Apollo's advances and scratched his face when he tried to rape her. Apollo then turned her into an acanthus plant. [ [http://www.paleothea.com/Nymphs.html Women in Greek Myths, "Acantha"] , Accessed: 11 June 2006.] According to "Encyclopedia Mythica", she was the guardian spirit of the acanthus "tree" after being turned into the "sun-loving herb" upon her death. [ [http://www.pantheon.org/areas/mythology/europe/greek/articles.html Encyclopedia Mythica, "Acantha"] , Accessed: 11 June 2006.] Another version features Acantha as a mortal man who returned Apollo's advances. [ [http://www.oedilf.com/db/Lim.php?Word=Acantha OEDILF "Acantha"] ] The matter of Acantha's identity is further confused by the fact that the acanthus plant is not a tree, but a shrub or bush, and therefore is unlikely to have had a nymph associated with it. This may simply indicate that it was perceived to be a tree at the time the myth was created.

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