11 PLANTS that have THORNS

In nature, we can find various spiked plants or bushes with thorns, which are present for various reasons. One of the causes that explain its appearance – perhaps the best known – is the protection. In other words, those plants that have spikes are because these thorns act as a protection mechanism to face threats from animals – whether they eat leaves or fruits – or from other plants.

But, in addition, there are other factors. And it is that the skewers also serve so that avoid water evaporation. In this way, it is common for thorns to be present on climbing plants, shrubs, cacti or carpets.

In other plants, the reason for its appearance is much simpler. And it is that they simply substitute the leaves for that paper to help maintain humidity. In this way, plants with spikes and bushes with thorns are more common in desert areas, whether they are hot or cold.

The thorns also have another mission in the plant: they serve as a refuge or hiding place for insects or small animals that, otherwise, would be easily eaten.

The crown of thorns plant or Euphorbia milli is part of the flat with spikes because its main stem is very similar to that of a cactus, being full of thorns. However, it is a plant from which beautiful flowers grow.

This plant, from Madagascar, lives both inside and outside the home, although it must be taken into account that it can reach up to one and a half meters in height. It is a plant resistant to high temperatures, but not to low temperatures, being convenient that it is indoors in the winter.

Its reproduction is carried out through the cutting of the stem, being necessary to let it dry for about five days so that it comes out as a kind of scab. That is the time to plant it so that a new crown of thorns will grow.

The Cactus is the plant with thorns par excellence and one of the most popular. Within it, there are several types, each with its own peculiarities. Here we talk about three, which are very decorative because of their appearance, apart from being resistant:

• Euphorbia trigona: this cactus is also known as African milk tree or cathedral cactus. Coming from southeastern Africa, it is recognized by its erect stems, which reach a height of between 15 and 25 centimeters that are separated by constrictions, as well as by its spatula and acuminate reddish-brown spines that are between two to four in size. millimeters. This spiny plant can live in temperatures down to minus eight degrees Celsius, although in this case it will lose its leaves. However, it prefers very hot climates and good shade.
• Ferocactus latispinus: This cactus, known in turn as the devil’s tongue or crow’s claw, comes from the area of ​​Mexico and the southeastern United States. Its spines are radial, reaching about two centimeters in length. However, in its central part, some reddish striated spines are born, which reach 3.5 centimeters in length. These cacti need a lot of sun and warm temperatures, although they endure temperatures down to minus four degrees Celsius.
• Agave potatorum: This cactus, also called Manguey de monte, is also native to Mexico, Central America or the southwestern United States. This plant is characterized by its rosette-shaped leaves, which have a spiny end. This cactus lives without problems in full sun, although it can withstand temperatures down to minus five degrees Celsius, provided the land is dry.

If you like them and want to have them at home, in this other article we will tell you How to care for a cactus.

In nature we can find other plants with thorns, dating from ancient times. One of them is Jimson weed, which has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes – but with great caution because it is toxic – although it is also used as a hallucinogen.

This plant, whose scientific name is Datura stramonium, It is a very widespread plant throughout the Spanish geography. It is recognized by its trumpet-shaped flowers, which are very showy. When the flower is fertilized, it is when it appears as a capsule species of the seeds, which has spikes and inside which is the toxic part.

The Pachypodium lamerei, also known as Madagascar palm, is another of the plants with thorns. Specifically, in this case, they are located on its stem. From this part, smooth, large and very greenish leaves are born. In addition, it usually has white flowers, which are very fragrant.

This spiked plant, native to africaIt does not require much watering in winter while, in summer, it is necessary to water it every two or three weeks, but always letting the substrate dry well. And, when it comes to locating it, it is better to place it in warm and sunny areas.

The Ulex europaeus or pimple it’s a bush with thorns, whose flowers are yellow. This plant, from Europe, requires sunlight for its development, since it does not grow well in areas that are very shady.

In this way, it is better to place it in full sun or in partial shade. However, it is a resistant plant that it can live in many areas where it would be impossible to have other vegetation. Of course, you have to be careful not to place it near areas where there is a high risk of fire because it is pyrophyte.

If there is a flower that is associated with thorns, it is the Rose. In fact, it is the flower par excellence because, in addition to being beautiful, its flowers have many meanings depending on the color. The best known is the red rose, which is associated with love. If you like them and want to know more about the meanings of roses according to their color, enter this other article.

Roses are born from the rose bushes, What are they bushes with thorns that thrive outdoors so they can receive sunlight. As for irrigation, the amount of water required varies depending on the time of year. For example, during the flowering stage it should be abundant.

However, watering it well is also key during the first year. In any case, you should always be careful because you should not wet the flowers or leaves.

In this other unCOMO post we explain how to take care of a rose bush.

In addition to the spiked plants that we have commented, there is also bushes with thorns, being several types of thorny bushes. Within them, we can speak, for example, of:

• Barberry: These thorn bushes are recognizable by their yellowish wood, seen when the stems are cut, as well as by their three-pointed spines. It is a plant that is usually invasive and of which, in turn, there are different varieties such as Berberis thunbergii or the Japanese barberry.
• Chamico: this thorn bush, which is also called Datura feroxIt is characterized by being an upright grass, which can reach a height of one meter, as well as by its serrated leaves and its fruit covered with thorns. It lives well in temperate or warm areas and where it is sunny.
• Spiny acacias: This shrub is recognized by its long and affiliated thorns, and is often used as a defensive wall or hedge because it is difficult to penetrate and cross. It is a plant that can live well in hot areas, taking care to plant each seed at a distance of two meters because they grow a lot. In height, they can reach six meters. As for irrigation, you must take special care of the first two years because, then, it can withstand even drought.

From a HOWTO, we hope we have helped you to know more about these 11 plants that have thorns and know their care so, if you are going to have them at home or in the garden, you can take care of them properly so that they grow well.

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