Echinospartum horridum

Echinospartum horridumITALIC TEXT HERE

This plant (foreground) is found through large areas of pre-Pyrenean mountain - and it really is HORRID if you find yourself off-route and have to bush-wack through it.

The example in this picture is very small.

It’s a cushion-shaped bush, which can be up to 40cm high, with very dense foliage made up of ridgid spines. The flowers which appear summer and autum, are yellow. The fruit, a silky-covered bean shape. They live up to 40 years before starting to dry out and die. The burning of low lying areas of vegetation creates the ideal ground for the erizón which is capable of recolonising within a couple of years.

Here, from Pico Boron looking towards the Mallos de Vadiello, Sierra de Guara.