acanthology
n. C2 Proficiency acan·thol·o·gy
n. the study of plants that have spines or sharp points, like cacti and thorny bushes.
n. the branch of botany concerned with the study of plants with spines or prickles, particularly those belonging to the family Cactaceae.
He is a specialist in acanthology.
The university's botany department offers a course in acanthology for students interested in desert ecosystems.
Acanthology provides valuable insights into the evolutionary adaptations of desert flora, focusing on how spiny structures protect plants from herbivores and extreme heat.