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Calicotome villosa or Spiny broom

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Calicotome villosa (Spiny broom) with a few Sage-leaved rockroses (Cistus salvifolius)

A bush of spiny broom

Bermuda buttercup (Oxalys pes-caprae) in the middle of a Spiny broom bush

Calicotome villosa or Spiny broom - Detail

Spiny broom is a common sight in the Cretan countryside from sea level up to the mountains. The bushes can be over 2 m tall. It has vicious thick thorns which you want to avoid at all costs when walking. The nastiness of its spines is somewhat made up by the wonderful scent and vivid colour of its flowers (from March to June)

You can click on the top and bottom pictures to enlarge.

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