Post by Wynette:
Yesterday morning shortly after we set out for the Camino, we came across our first broom in bloom. At least Google Lens said it was “broom”, aka “Scotch broom” and a bunch of other brooms. The leaves aren’t exactly like the broom we have in New Mexico and that we call “Spanish broom”, but the flowers are very similar. It reminded me of when we were hiking on the meseta on the Camino Frances in 2014. We came across some broom in bloom. I cut off a twig and took it with me to the next town and asked the people at the bar what they called the plant here in Spain. They thought for quite a while and then one of them remembered. With a big smile, she said “Las zapatillas del niño Jesus.” The flowers do look a little bit like little slippers.
I wonder if the Spanish broom is blooming in Albuquerque yet?
In response to your question: our volunteer Spanish broom (which is a young plant — they often flower first) is putting out its first blossoms.