The identity of this has caused a bit of confusion since the Herbarium I sometimes use to assist shows fruit just like those in the photo with "sunken" hairy pods and striations on the branches and thorns while books say the fruit is usually hairless. It certainly looks like a Broom though and it has many spines justifying the common name.

Hills near Cortijo Valverde, near Alora, Andalucia, Spain 2nd April 2008

Added on 4th May 2008