Profile
Settings
Refer your friends
Sign out
It is difficult to tell the difference between thorns and spines based solely on appearance because they are nearly identical. Thorns and spines are both parts of the plant. Although they have a similar appearance, they are not the same. The basic similarity between thorns and spines is that they are both plant parts, but thorns are modified stems while spines are modified leaves. They are sharp with stiff ends, and both of these structures serve similar purposes. They keep animals away from plants. Here, we will discuss the differences between thorns and spines, as well as some important questions.
What are thorns?
The thorns are woody and pointed to modified plant branches. They appear in the axil of a leaf, where a branch is forming. They aid in the growth of plants. Thorns are plant axillary leaves. They are cared for by a leaf. They are plant defensive organs that aid in plant growth and protect plants from predators. They have a vascular bundle within them and can be branched or unbranched. They should or should not have a leaf. They develop from a plant’s internal tissue. They are endogenous in nature.
Characteristics of thorns
Thorns have the following characteristics:
They have a woody flavour and are straight.
They have a pointed shape.
They protect plants from plant-eating animals.
They are plant stems that have been modified.
They contain a vascular bundle within them.
They are placed in the bud’s place.
What is Spines?
The spines are a plant’s modified leaf with a sharp and pointed structure. They require a leaf in a comparative position. They protect plants from herbivores and other animals by covering and protecting them, and they also protect plants from extreme temperatures. They also contain a vascular bundle within them. They can be derived from the entire leaf or from a portion of the leaf. They have a stiff, sharp appearance. It has a bud on one of its axes. It is a modified stipule of leaf.
Characteristics of spines
Spines have the following characteristics:
They are both firm and slender.
They have a pointy structure.
They guard plants against herbivores.
They are a plant’s modified leaf.
They also contain a vascular bundle within them.
They are the plant’s leaves.
Difference between thorns and spines
S.NO | Thorns | Spines |
1 | The structure of thorns is woody. | The structure of spines is sharpened-pointed. |
2 | Thorns are a type of stem modification, also known as a modified branch. | Spines are a form of leaf modification. |
3 | Thorns are linked to vascular tissues. | The spines are not linked to vascular tissues. |
4 | Thorns are deeply embedded in the plants. | The spines are not deeply embedded in the plants. |
5 | Thorns assist plants in climbing. | Climbing does not benefit from spines. |
6 | Thorns protect plants from plant-eating animals. | Plants are protected from herbivores by their spines. |
7 | Thorns grow from the plant’s internal tissues. | Spines are formed by the plant’s external tissues. |
8. | Thorns are only visible at the plant’s node. | Spines form in the same place as leaves. |
More about Spines
Spines are pointed structures that are sharp in nature. They are modified leaves that are a part of the plant. Plants are protected from predators by these. Spines can be seen in the Opuntia plant, where the axillary leaves or buds transform into spines. Pineapples are another example of such plants, with the margins of their leaves modified into spines.
Spines are thus modified leaves or stipules that are parts of the leaves and have leaf vein extensions. There are vascular tissues in the spines. Petiolar spines, leaflet spines, and even stipular spines are examples of spines that develop as a leaf part with a midrib, petiole, and secondary veins. Spines are widely observed in the cactus family.
Glochids are a type of spine found in cacti that has a different origin than the spines found in other plants. Glochids are small, deciduous plants with many retrorse barbs that run the length of the plant. Thorns, on the other hand, are woody, pointed structures that protect the plant while also assisting it in climbing other surfaces. They are modified axillary leaves that differ from prickles and spines. The thorns can be branched or unbranched.
Importance of thorns and spines
1. Thorns are woody, pointed plant structures that protect the plant and aid in climbing.
2. They are different from spines and prickles in that they are modified axillary leaves.
Thorns are modified stems, whereas spines are modified plant leaves.
3. Plant spines are sharp, pointed structures that serve as a modified leaf. The plant’s spines protect it from predators.
4. Spines can be seen in the Opuntia plant, where the axillary buds’ minute leaves transform into spines. Spines can be found on Aloe Vera and Cactus plants.
5. Crabapples and Russian olives are thorny plants.
6. Plants are protected from animals by thorns, and plants are protected from herbivores by spines. Spiny fruits include custard apple and jackfruit.
Conclusion
The basic similarity between thorns and spines is that they are both plant parts, but thorns are modified stems while spines are modified leaves. Thorns and spines are both parts of the plant. The basic similarity between thorns and spines is that they are both plant parts, but thorns are modified stems while spines are modified leaves. The thorns are woody and pointed to modified plant branches. The spines are a plant’s modified leaf with a sharp and pointed structure. The spines are not deeply embedded in the plants. They are modified leaves that are a part of the plant. Spines are thus modified leaves or stipules that are parts of the leaves and have leaf vein extensions.
