Unidentified cactus-like plant (The Plants of Plunder)

This unnamed cactus-like species were brought to Earth by an alien scientist, and used by a group of criminals to further their goals.

Biology
The plants appear resemble a yellow-orange cactus, with a tall single stem, sometimes twisting and crooked, with bulbous protrusions going in various directions. Like cacti, they bear thorns, except their thorns are notably far larger than an Earth cactus. Additionally, they are able to shoot their thorns out at targets at high speed, somehow able to discern where targets are despite lacking visible sensory organs, and quickly regrow their fired spines. It is unknown if the alien cacti are sapient or otherwise intelligent, or if shooting thorns is just a defense mechanism when approached by other organisms. They are able to survive in Earth's soil, and grow very quickly in Earth's atmosphere, even faster with chemical stimulants.

History
In the 1960s, an alien scientist brought seeds of this species to Earth, testing how well his plants grew in Earth's soil, finding that they grew rapidly. However, a rapidly-growing tree-like plant struck him in the head and knocked him out, also giving him amnesia, allowing some nearby criminals to seize his plants and growing materials, including the seeds for the alien cacti.

Appearances

 * Batman Vol 1 #147 (1962)