The most primitive and potent defensive systems that plants have developed are spikes, prickles, plus spines. Pointy plants might be difficult to maintain and manage, but whenever it relates to protecting your own home’s safety, such plants successfully guard first-floor openings and property borders.
Additionally, most of these prickly plants disguise themselves with exquisite spring blooms and vibrant fall fruit. They may be trimmed into thick hedges since they can thrive in various growth zones and thus are strong and sturdy. This prevents any residence from seeming to be a high-security facility.
These prickly shrubs and plants might not become the best choice for you when you have children or pets. But for several, it represents a more tasteful alternative to an ugly spiked wire fence.
Holly
You probably picture holly’s evergreen foliage and its bright red fruit whenever you picture the shrub, but what about its thorns? Three through five spines may be found along the edges of each velvety leaf.
Some spines point upwards, while others point downwards, as those alternate in position. However, adult holly trees lack the pointed appendages on their tallest branches.
These spines explain the plant’s association with Christmas. Those plants were originally employed by pagans in ages before Christianity to fend off bad spirits and observe the Wintertime Solstice Festival.
Christians have time contributed their views to them. Those berries stand in for Jesus’ blood, while the leaves stand-in for the holly crown of thorns Jesus donned at his death. Even the name “Christ Thorn” has been used for holly throughout Scandinavia.
Agave
Many types of succulent shrubs that can survive in hot, dry climates belong to the family of Agave. These species have adjusted to their dry habitats with different traits, notably spikes.
To prevent predators from exploiting the foliage as a water supply throughout this instance, the spines point outward at them. Those spikes are just so powerful and deadly that it has been reported that ancient Mexican women used them as stitching needles.
Acacia
It makes sense that acacia plants are frequently connected with Australia since they require a robust tree to thrive in a harsh environment. However, it is also indigenous throughout Africa, and there is a myth that these leaves were crushed up and utilized to cure haemorrhoids in ancient Egypt. However, the tree’s branches are doing the greatest harm. These harsh branches are covered with curled spikes that are excellent at snagging and securing. Many Acacia species, nevertheless, have less thorny personalities.
Crown of Thorns
That climbing shrub develops three or five feet tall and spreads strongly spiked limbs in every way, making it an excellent title for any hard rock album.
It is a native of Madagascar and normally seeks out other shrubs or a barrier for support. But, compared to the sneaky web of thorns underneath, crimson summertime flowers are only a pretty face.
According to legend, Jesus’ iconic “crown of thorns” had been made by placing a ring of euphorbia on his head.
Additionally, this shrub is bad from the inside out since its juice can be poisonous and hurt the epidermis. You can encounter other issues when you ever consume this prickly nightmare.
Firethorn
Pyracantha is prepared to fight back against just much everything you might throw at this, even those cutting shears. Along the stems and limbs, it has needle-sharp thorns scattered every few centimetres, and also its tips have four-inch hypodermic needles.
The height and width of a firethorn can reach Ten feet. It is a resilient plant that can take much damage and spread rapidly. If you want to protect your lawn from this prickly beast, you must be prepared for combat.
Conclusion
Some bushes are planted to signal that their spikes will convey to potential invaders. However, others have been planted because they are so lovely or produce such wonderful fruit that individuals are delighted to take.
In any case, thorniness offers an intriguing way to classify plants and exemplifies a certain kind of beauty throughout botany.
