1856 G. Engelmann in (U.S. War Dept.: Rep. Explor. Route to Pacific IV) iii. 44 The name indicates the porcupine-like armature of this species.
1977 J. Doughty 149 This was a land of small buck-spinifex, needle sharp, growing porcupine-like on the hard red earth.
2004 (Nexis) 30 June b6 This squash can be covered with porcupine-like spines and is delicious peeled, steamed and dressed in vinaigrette with onion, oregano and cilantro.