THORNS, SPINES, and PRICKLES on trunks, stems, leaves, and flowers! As you scroll through these photos I’ve collected over the past year, notice the diversity in placement and length of this plant armor.

Silk Floss Tree

Why would plants have this defense mechanism? Primarily, they are a deterrent to herbivores, animals that eat plants. Some animals, such as donkeys, goats, giraffes, and camels have adaptations that allow them to much on plants with thorns, spikes, or prickles.

Often lumped together, thorns, prickles, and spines are different parts of plants. Roses, blackberry, and raspberry bushes have prickles. Other plants, including cacti, have spines instead of leaves. which also help with water retention. Thorns are found on hawthorns and crown of thorns. Click here to read about the differences.

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Now that you know more about these plant parts, discuss the meaning of these expressions with your children:

• no rose without prickles
• prickly personality
• a thorn in his side