Spanish Broom
Spartium junceum
Family Leguminosae
Maltese name
Habitat Maquis
Evergreen tree with hard, darkgreen, aromatic leaves with slightly wavy edges. Produces small white flowers in late winter. Fruit black, oval berry 10-15mm long.
Grows in humid valleys, such as Wied il-Luq and wied Qirda. Indigenous: leaves have been found fossilised. Also cultivated as an ornament. Scarce.
Spanish Broom