Sting (botany)
In plants, a thorn is a pointed protrusion on the stem axis or on the leaf . They are emergences : In their formation, in contrast to hair , deeper layers are involved in addition to the epidermis , but they are not transformed organs (these are thorns ). In contrast to thorns, spines can be stripped off the plant relatively easily. Since they are not transformed organs, their distribution on the plant is also illegal.
The botanical definition of thorn and thorn partly contradicts the common usage, but botanically the rose has thorns instead of the proverbial thorns, and the thorns of the cactus plants are usually referred to as thorns outside of the technical language.
- In addition to roses ( Rosa ), examples include raspberries ( Rubus idaeus ) and blackberries ( Rubus fruticosus agg.). They have spines on the stem axes, but also on the underside of the leaves.
- The kapok tree ( Ceiba pentandra ) has a very prickly trunk.
Biological difference between thorn (A) and sting (B)
Blackberry spines ( Rubus fruticosus )
Prickly trunk of the kapok tree ( Ceiba pentandra )
Prickly fruit of the common horse chestnut ( Aesculus hippocastanum )
supporting documents
- Peter Sitte , Elmar Weiler , Joachim W. Kadereit , Andreas Bresinsky , Christian Körner : Textbook of botany for universities . Founded by Eduard Strasburger . 35th edition. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg 2002, ISBN 3-8274-1010-X .
Individual evidence
- ^ Gerhard Wagenitz : Dictionary of Botany. The terms in their historical context . 2nd expanded edition. Spectrum Academic Publishing House, Heidelberg / Berlin 2003, ISBN 3-8274-1398-2 , p. 306 .
