EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Those nasty points on the stem of the rose are not, in fact, true thorns, but are what scientists call prickles. Prickles are small, sharp outgrowths of the plant’s outer layers, or skin-like epidermis, and the sub-epidermal layer just beneath it.

Detailed explanation-2: -Why do roses have ‘thorns’? Plants have thorns to deter herbivores (animals that eat plants) from eating the leaves that the plant put so much energy into making. This type of defense is known as physical defense, because the plant physically defends against herbivores by poking them.

Detailed explanation-3: -Roses come with sharp spikes or thorns. Botanists call them ‘prickles’. These are small outgrowths from a plant’s epidermis or the outer layer. Prickles are similar to thorns but unlike thorns, prickles are easier to remove.

Detailed explanation-4: -A stem that stands vertical or upright above the soil is called an erect stem. Most of the plants possess erect stems, for example, rose plant, neem etc.