Acantholimon androsaceum

Acantholimon androsaceum is a spiny cushion plant of the Cretan mountains (endemic to Lefka Ori and the Psilorotis massif) where it forms 'hedghog' vegetation (such as Astragalus angustifolius) in rocky calcareous locations above 1500 m. It has dense foliage with sharp pointed leaves and at higher altitudes older plants will form hard hemispherical cushions that will easily support a person's weight.
The flowers are pink with 5 petals and flower from June to August and even September. When they fall they reveal membranous calyces with dark red stripes which stay on the plant long after the flowers have disappeared.

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