Astragalus angustifolius

Astragalus angustifolius is an extremely spiny dwarf shrub growing in the high mountains of Crete between 1200 and 2200 m. They often grow in large 'hedgehog' colonies and flower from June to August. It is not an endemic plant and grows from the Balkans to south-western Asia.

The cushions (do not sit on them, they are really spiky!) can be as large as 80cm in diameter

You can click on the pictures to enlarge.