Why do roses have thorns?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Protection from animals
Protection from animals ✓ — Correct! Thorns evolved to protect roses from being eaten by animals. They deter herbivores and browsers. Interestingly, rose thorns are technically 'prickles'—sharp outgrowths of the stem surface, not modified leaves or branches!
Help climbing structures — Wrong. While some thorny plants climb, rose thorns primarily serve defense, not climbing support.
Thorns store nutrients — Wrong. Thorns don't store nutrients. They're defensive structures, not storage organs.