For most folks, though, the plants that come to mind when spines are mentioned are cactus. That’s understandable, since most of the 2,000 or so cactus species feature spines.

Let's get this out of the way, right up front: Many agaves have very sharp spines. So we're talking about a serious ouch factor. There is, however, no shortage of friendlier species, possessing ...

The spines of cacti (in fact, the spines of any plant) are modified leaves, which provide protection. Many cacti, certainly not all, have their stems flattened into characteristic "pads," with the ...