Displaying 1 - 5 out of 5 Object(s)
| Term | Definition | |
|---|---|---|
| Aculeus (Latin, pl. = aculei, adj. = aculeate) | A prickle or a spine. |  |
| Prickle | A sharp, pointed outgrowth of the epidermis of stems, leaves and other plant parts; e.g., on the trunk and branches of Ceiba pentandra (Bombacaceae) and Jacaratia spinosa (Caricaceae), on the stems of Smilax spp. (Smilacaceae), and on the stems and leaves of many species of Solanum. |  |
| Spine | A sharp-pointed modified leaf as in most species of Cactaceae . In the palm family (Arecaceae) all sharp outgrowths, regardless of origin, are called spines. |  |
| Thorn | A sharp-pointed, aborted branch that is woody and has vascular tissue. |  |
| Urticating trichomes | Trichomes that cause itching or burning sensations such as in some species of Euphorbiaceae and Urticaceae; sometimes called urticating hairs but urticating trichomes is preferred because it limits the term to plants. Urticating trichomes are thought to protect the plant from predators. |  |