Each spine is like a shard of glass and coated with backward pointing barbs. At the top of each plant sprout dozens of swollen barrel-like buds that break free so easily that they can appear to ...

The spines of a cactus are much better than flat leaves at preventing water being lost from the plant. The spines are also good protection from animals that might want to eat them. Living things ...

Dermatitis. 2009;20(2):63-78. Other plants known for their spines include Serenoa repens (family Arecaceae), a North American plant commonly known as saw palmetto (Figure 6). This palm gets its ...