Thorns, Spines, and Prickles on Plants

Thorns, spines, and prickles are three types of structures that appear in plants which have a similar appearance, but which are derived from different plant organs. All three are hard structures with sharp, pointy ends, which are generally used by plants to protect themselves from herbivores.

Thorns are modified branches or stems, spines are modified leaves, and prickles are needle-like extensions of the cortex and epidermis. These three types of structures are often confused, although they are technically distinct. Many plants commonly thought of as having thorns actually have spines or prickles. Roses, for instance, have prickles.

Some plants have thorns, spines, or prickles which can pierce animals' skin. Examples of these among the thorns are the lemon, pomegranate and wood apple. Thorns likely first evolved as a defense mechanism in plants growing in sandy environments which provided inadequate resources for fast regeneration.

Spines are often known as a modification of protection and ward off herbivores.



Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spine_%28botany%29

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