Spartium junceum

The Spanish broom or rush broom is in the pea or Fabaceae family and is native to the Mediterranean area in southern Europe, to southwest Asia and to northwest Africa. It is a vigorous, deciduous shrub growing to 2–4 m tall

• Main stems are up to 5 cm thick or even thicker; shoots are also thick, somewhat succulent grey-green, rush-like.
• Leaves are small, very sparse, 1–3 cm long and up to 4 mm broad; they are of little importance to the plant, as it photosynthesizes through its green shoots; leaves fall away early.
• Yellow pea-like flowers 1–2 cm across sprout profusely from the shoots in late spring.
• Fruit is a seed pod developing in late summer, maturing black and 8–10 cm in long, producing a cracking sound when opening.