Thorns

[buggeriamold]

Hello knowledgeable people,

I have been informed that no Australian Native plants have thorns on their stems (think roses).

Having had many a lovely thrashing through spiky scrub over the years I was somewhat surprised & disbelieving of this, but when I think about it, most of the spikes I can think of are attached to the foliage.

So, is there anyone with knowledge of Flora that can either confirm or deny the thorns on stems thing?


Mark

[johnw]

I can't answer with any authority but appear to have found at least one plant that qualifies:
Hovea acanthoclada (Turcz.) F.Muell. (Thorny Hovea)

http://www.anbg.gov.au/photo/apii/id/dig/973

http://florabase.calm.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/3963

http://www.oznativeplants.com/plantdetail/Thorny-Hovea/Hovea/acanthoclada/zz.html

[gayet]

The Thorny Hovea may be commonly named as such - i.e. possessing thorns - but that doesn't mean it meets the botanical definition of thorn.
Botany
. A modified branch in the form of a sharp, woody spine.
. A sharp-pointed branch

from Albert E. Radford, William C. Dickison, Jimmy R. Massey, and C. Ritchie Bell, Vascular Plant Systematics, 1974, Harper & Row Publishers. All rights are reserved.

So basically, to be a thorned plant, the protuberances must be a modified branch.

Not that that helps much

[buggeriamold]

Hi Folks,

I have to say to the untraind eye, they look almost exactly like thorns!

I have passed the link along to the afore mentioned person.

Thanks

Mark