Prickles are derived from the epidermis of the plant, whereas true thorns are modified stems. Rose prickles defend the plant ...

Photo of Solanum scalarium, a newly-described bush tomato species from the Northern Territory, Australia, showing the unusual ladder-like arrangement of prickles on male floral stems. Plants grown ...

But they aren't the only plants with these dangerous protrusions, technically called prickles. Prickles have evolved independently in species across the plant kingdom. Their main function ...