Plants have thorns or prickles for a variety of reasons, but the most common reason is to protect themselves from herbivores. Thorns and prickles can make it difficult or painful for animals to eat the plant, which can deter them from doing so.
In addition to deterring herbivores, thorns and prickles can also help plants to:
- Reduce water loss. In some plants, such as cacti, spines help to reduce water loss by shading the leaves and stems.
- Provide support. Thorns can help to support plants that grow in windy or unstable conditions.
- Absorb sunlight. In some plants, such as cacti, spines can help to absorb sunlight and provide the plant with energy.
- Attrract pollinators. In some plants, such as roses, thorns can help to attract pollinators by providing them with a place to land.
The specific type of spiny structure that a plant has depends on its species and environment. For example, cacti have spines that are derived from leaf tissue, while roses have prickles that are derived from the epidermis.
Here are some examples of plants that have thorns or prickles:
- Cacti
- Roses
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
- Holly
- Hawthorn
- Pyracantha
- Bougainvillea
- Citrus
- Sweet Acacia