Creating cactus style text effect

Start by typing an alphabet.

Press Q to enable quick mask. From filter menu select distort>>glass. Apply settings as shown.
Press Q again to disable quick mask. Hide the original text layer.
Create a new layer and fill it with a solid green color.
Double click the layer to open layer style window. Apply layer style with the settings shown.
Select burn tool . From the main top bar adjust the settings as shown. Apply the tool to create dark patches over the filled text layer.

From select menu click color range. Using eyedropper tool click on the area to create a selection.

Press Ctrl+J to copy paste the selection in a new layer. Double click the layer to open layer style window. Apply layer style with the settings shown.
Create a tiny ellipse using elliptical shape tool.
Using pen tool create a shape as shown.
Double click the layer to open layer style window. Apply layer style with the settings shown.

 

Similarly create more duplicates of the thorn layer and place as shown.
Apply the same technique to more alphabets.
Duplicate all layers. Select and merge duplicates layers. Enable lock transparent pixels from layer palette. Fill it with black color. Press Ctrl+T. Right click the layer and select distort. Adjust nodes to create a perspective shadow. Reduce the opacity.
Fill the background with a gradient.