Desert plants are among the toughest in the world for their resilience in harsh climates. Check out our roundup of 20 fascinating desert plants.

Plants have evolved all sorts of wickedly clever defense mechanisms, and the most primal—and effective—are thorns, prickles, and spines. Spiky plants can be a hassle for maintenance and ...

Here are five plants with thorns and spines to avoid in family gardens to avoid. 1. Agaves. One of the best desert plants, agaves are much loved in warm and drought-prone regions.

Every rose has its thorns, and other common plants like rice, raspberries and blackberries also sport sharp spikes. Botanically, these pointed defenses are known as “prickles,” and the plants ...

The Anza-Borrego Desert’s native acacia (Acacia greggii) is the notoriously thorny “cat-claw,” known by early desert pioneers as “tear-blanket” and “wait-a-minute bush.” Sponsored ...

Q. Why do cactus plants have no leaves? A. This is a great question. Most cacti are lacking traditional leaves because they evolved and grow in a hot, dry environment. Their adaptation is one of ...

When the 2008 recession hit and business temporarily dried up, she started writing in a blog to pass on her hard-won knowledge from the thorny trenches. In it, she called herself "AZ Plant Lady ...

However, as the name "crown of thorns" suggests, the plant is covered with 1-inch-long very sharp spines, which means it’s not an ideal plant to have in your home if you have curious kids or pets.

Noelle Johnson, aka AZ Plant Lady, talks about using mulch in her garden while crouching next to one of the rocks that decorate her front garden at her Chandler home on Feb. 20, 2023.

To find the gene responsible for thorns, scientists investigated plants in the Solanum genus. These plants, known as nightshades, encompass more than 1,500 species and include common culinary ...