Thorns, or prickles, are a common feature found on a variety of plants, including roses and rice, serving purposes such as defense, water retention, and climbing. The evolution of thorns has puzzled biologists for years, with researchers now uncovering that a shared group of genes, called LONELY GUY or LOG, is responsible for thorns across different plant species. This genetic discovery has led to the development of genetically modified plants without prickles using CRISPR technology. Despite evolving independently, these plants may share a common genetic cause for their thorns, providing insight into convergent evolution.
https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/plants/thorns-prickles-roses-plants/