Echium aculeatum Poiret (Boraginaceae) A low shrub with linear spiny leaves and short conical spikes of white flowers, native of Tenerife, Gomera and Hierro, growing on cliffs and dry rocky places at up to 1000m, flowering in March–May. Shrub to 1.5m high and wide. Leaves with margins and midrib densely spiny. Calyx lobes as long as the corolla. Needs sun and well-drained soil. Min. 0°C. E. giganteum L. fil. (not shown) from forest areas in N Tenerife is larger with broader lanceolate or oblanceolate leaves and would be better in cooler wetter climates.