Thorny Flowering Plants

Roses often have small prickles on the underside of the leaf.

Thorns on plants act as a good self-defense mechanism against herbivores attempting to eat them. Homeowners often site flowering plants with thorns against their houses, as they are not only pretty but can prevent unwanted intruders entering the property.

Roses

Over 100 species of roses are available and they are native to the Northern Hemisphere. They can range in size from ½ inch to 7 inches in diameter. Roses are very fragrant and have thorns along the stem of the plant. The rose has a fruit, the rose hip, which is actually the floral cup of the plant.

Brambles

Brambles (Rubus fruticosus) are a common plant often seen in hedgerows. The flowers grow in late spring or summer and are white or pale pink in color and produce blackberries with a distinctive purplish-black coloring. The stems of the plant are thick and are covered in thorns. These plants can root into the ground from the tip of the stem.

Bougainvillea

Bougainvillea have 1- to 2-inch long thorns on the stem. The plant has flowers which appear throughout the year and are normally red or purple in color. It is a low-maintenance plant which is tolerant of droughts.

References

• Brittannica Encyclopedia: Rose
• ARKive: Brambles
• University of Florida: Bougainvillea