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Thorns and Spines both are a part of the plant. It is quite difficult to make out the difference between thorns and spines depending only on their appearance as both of them look almost identical.
- Although they have a similar appearance, they are different from each other.
- The basic similarity between thorns and spines is that they both are a part of plants.
- Botanically thorns are modified stems whereas spines are modified leaves.
- They are sharp with stiff ends and moreover, both of these structures perform similar functions.
- They protect plants from animals.
In this article, we will be discussing more about the differences between thorns and spines.
| Table of Content |
Key Terms: Thorns, Spines, Plants with thorns, Plants with spines, Vascular bundle, Stipule, Leaf, Herbivores, Difference between thorns and spines
What are Thorns?
The thorns are modified branches of a plant that are woody & pointed. They occur in the axil of a leaf where a branch is developed and helps plants in climbing.
- Thorns are axillary leaves of a plant.
- They are subtended by a leaf.
- They are defensive organs of plants that help plants rise and protect them from animals.
- They have a vascular bundle inside them and they can be branched or non-branched as well.
- They should have a leaf or may not have a leaf.
- They arise from the internal tissue of a plant. They are endogenous.
Characteristics of Thorns
Characteristics of thorns are:
- They are woody & straight.
- They have a pointed structure.
- They protect plants from animals that eat plants.
- They are the modified steams of a plant.
- They have a vascular bundle inside them
- They are placed in the place of the bud.
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Spines
The spines are the modified leaves of a plant with a sharp and pointed structure. They need in a comparative position of a leaf.
- They protect plants from herbivores and some other animals they cover and protect the plants and also protect plants from outrageous temperatures.
- They also have a vascular bundle inside them.
- They can be derived from the entire leaf or can also be derived from a part of the leaf.
- They are stiff and sharp in appearance.
- It has a bud on its axis and represents a modified stipule or leaf.
Characteristics of Spines
Characteristics of spines are:
- They are firm & slender.
- They have a sharp-pointed structure.
- They protect plants from herbivores.
- They are the modified leaves of a plant.
- They also have a vascular bundle inside them.
- They are the leaves of the plant.
Difference Between Thorns and Spines
Thorns and spines are very similar to each other so it is a little tough to differentiate between them. But they are not the same. There are so many things that make a difference between thorns and spines.
| Thorns | Spines |
|---|---|
| Thorns have a woody structure. | Spines have a sharpened-pointed structure. |
| Thorns are a modification of stems or can be called modified branches. | Spines are the modification of the leaves. |
| Thorns are connected with the vascular tissues. | Spines are not connected with vascular tissues. |
| Thorns are so deeply seated over the plants. | Spines are not deeply seated over the plants. |
| Thorns help plants in climbing. | Spines do not help in climbing. |
| Thorns protect plants from animals that eat plants. | Spines protect plants from herbivores. |
| Thorns are formed from the internal tissues of the plant. | Spines are formed from the external tissues of the plant. |
| Thorns can only be seen at the node of the plant. | Spines are developed in the same place as leaves. |
| They are found in the axil of the bud. | Spines have a bud in their axil. |
| They have an endogenous origin. | They have an exogenous origin. |
| They do not help in transpiration. | Spines help in excess transpiration. |
| Examples: Bougainvillea, Russian olive, Crabapple, Hawthorn, etc. | Examples: Barberry Cactus, Agave, Aloe Vera, etc. |
Plants with Thorns
There are so many plants that have thorns. Plants with thorns are called thorny plants. They will prevent your house as well but be careful when planting them. Keep children & your pets away from it.
Let’s know some names of thorny plants.
- Honey locust
- Kapok tree
- American holly
- Crabapple
- Hawthorn
- Crown-of-thorns
- Sugarberry
- Sweetgum
- Russian olive
Plants with Spines
Just like thorns, some plants have Spines. The spines are like the leaves of plants. They are sharp and pointed. Most of the spines trees are found in the cacti family. These spines protect the plant stems.
Let’s have a look over some Spiny plants & fruits.
- Cactus
- Barberry
- Agave
- Aloe Vera
- Black mulberry
- Jack fruit
- Breadfruit
- Custard apple
- Sago palm
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Things to Remember
- Thorns are woody, pointed structures of plants that protect the plant and help in climbing.
- They are modified axillary leaves and are different from both spines and prickles.
- Thorns are modified stems, on the other side spines are modified leaves of a plant.
- Spines are sharp, pointed structures of plants and are the modified leaves.
- Aloe Vera and Cactus plants have spines.
- Russian olive and Crabapples are thorny plants.
Sample Questions
Ques: Describe the formation of thorns. (2 Marks)
Ans: Thorns are the modification of the axillary shoot system of the plants in which the leaves of the plants are reduced so they die quickly & due to this the stems of plants are heavily clarified & grow only for a fixed limited time. Thorns help the plants to grow & they protect them from dangerous animals.
Ques: Write the main difference between thorns and spines. (2 Marks)
Ans: The main difference between thorns and spines is that thorns are the modified stems of the plants on the other side spines are the modified leaves. Thorns and spines, both found on plants, offer protection from herbivores (plant-eating animals). Spines, unlike thorns which are modified stems, can develop from buds or even have the same position as leaves. Spines are deeply seated, thorns are not deeply seated.
Ques: What are the functions of Spines? (2 Marks)
Ans: The main function of the spines is to prevent plants from excess transpiration and herbivores. Spines prevent herbivore water loss from the plant, during hot weather and dry weather conditions. The leaves of the plants are converted into spines, after that their coverage area gets reduced and it procures the water loss. It covers plants from outrageous temperatures.
Ques: Does the cactus have spines or thorns? (2 Marks)
Ans: The cactus plant is covered with spines, it has no leaves. It only has spines in it. Spines are the same as the leaves of a plant. The spines of the cactus plant grow from the structures which are called areoles. It prevents plants from herbivores and also helps in concerning the water. Spines reduce the airflow that is close to the plant and give them shade which helps in treating water loss.
Ques: Write the name of 5 spiny fruits. (2 Marks)
Ans: Spiny fruits are those fruits that have spines on them.
5 spiny fruits are:
- Jack fruit
- Breadfruit
- Custard apple
- Black mulberry
- Dragon fruit.
Ques: Write the names of 15 plants that have a thorn. (3 Marks)
Ans: All the plants that have thorns on them are called thorny plants.
Here we are listing 15 plants that have thorns on them.
- Bougainvillea
- Climbing Rose
- Duranta
- Hawthorn
- Crown-of-thorn
- Prickly pear
- Queen Victoria agave
- Venus flytrap
- Kapok tree
- Whistling thorn
- Thistle tree
- Honey locust
- Saguaro
- Russian olive
- Baseball plant
Ques: Are spines modified leaves? (1 Mark)
Ans: Yes, the spines are the modified leaves of a plant. They are placed at the same place where leaves are present in the plant.
Ques: Write the importance of thorns. (2 Marks)
Ans: Thorns are called the modified branches of a plant. They are the outward part of the stem. They are developed in the axil of the leaves. Thorns help plants in climbing & they also help them to grow. Thorns protect plants from dangerous animals that can eat the plants. Thorns are important for plants because they help them to climb & also protect them from every harmful creature.
Ques: What contains thorns? (2 Marks)
Ans: Landscapers also value other thorny plants for their beauty and bounty. These include pigeon berry and citrus lemon, prized for their foliage, flowers, and fruits. Even some vines, like bougainvillea and sarsaparilla, sport thorns. In bougainvillea, thorns emerge alongside leaves along the stems.
Ques: Do roses have thorns or spines? (1 Mark)
Ans: Roses have prickles, not thorns or spines. Rose bushes might appear thorny, but those sharp projections are actually called prickles.
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