Spiky plant (5)

I believe the answer is:

gorse

(Other definitions for gorse that I've seen before include "Spiny evergreen shrub" , "Spiny heathland shrub" , "Yellow-flowering shrub" , "Wild shrub with yellow flowers and sharp thorns, common on hillsides" , "Wild evergreen shrub with golden-yellow flowers" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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