Thorny flowering plant (4)
I believe the answer is:
rose
'thorny flowering plant' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for rose that I've seen before include "Pink, increased" , "Moved upwards for the flower" , "reached for the skies" , "''That which we call a ..., by any other name would smell as sweet'' (Romeo and Juliet)" , "13 flower" .)