cactus spines
Succulent's sharp defense
Cactus spines are the sharp, needle-like structures that grow from cacti, modified leaves that protect the plant from animals and reduce water loss.
They range from fine hair-like bristles to thick, hooked barbs.
Unlike thorns, spines grow from specialized tissue called areoles: I spent an hour pulling cactus spines from my dog's nose.
- pricklySpiny or irritable
- thornsSharp plant projections
- needlesSlender pointed instruments
- barbsSharp points or jibes
- desertTo leave behind completely
desert plant · sharp · succulent · protection · defense · jabbing · piercing · dry · bristles · poking · saguaro · painful · don't touch · tough · arid · skin · puncture · clusters
- sharp pointsneedles, point, pins, tip, spikes
- plant defensesthorns, trichomes, toxins, latex, resin
- Plant Toxinsricin, oleander, foxglove, deadly nightshade, nightshade
- Biomimicrydragonfly wings, butterfly wing, structural color, honeycomb structures, honeycomb structure
water retention strategy
cactus spinesbroad leaves
Expansive flat plant structures
tropical foliage · banana leaves · lush greenery · rainforest canopy · deciduous leaves