Ruscus aculeatus

Ruscus aculeatus
Butcher's broom, Knee holly
Fragon

Rhizomatous, evergreen, subshrub, native to central and southern Europe, West Asia, and North Africa. Grows slowly to  2' - 3' high and wide, preferring shade to deep shade. The common name 'butcher's broom' refers to the tradition of European butchers binding the stiff twigs together and using the bundle to clean their cutting boards. "Aculeatus" means prickly or spiney.

What appear to be leaves are actually modified stem structures called cladophylls. They are ovate, thick, spiney-tipped, and twisted at the base. The flowers are six-petaled, star shaped greenish, white blossoms emerging from the middle of the cladophyll Jan. through April, followed by bright red berries. 
Butcher's broom has been used as a medicinal agent for a variety of purposes, particularly for circulatory problems. The root was used as a substitute for asparagus. 
Ruscus aculeatus should not be confused with cytisus scoparius (broom) or spartium junceum (spanish broom).

Form, along a path in Lacoste, 9.22.14

In the woods by a stone wall in Lacoste, 9.22.14

Stem showing cladophylls or leaf-like structures with their twisted bases, 9.22.14

 

Blossom in center of cladophyll

Berry

Berries on plants in Lacoste woods, 10.7.14

Illustration by Dr. Otto Wilhelm Thomé, 1885

Robinia pseudoacacia

Robinia pseudoacacia
Black Locust
Robinier faux-acacia

Native to North America

Planted in Place Dauphine, Paris in 1601 by Jean Robin, gardener of Louis XIII and now naturalized throughout Europe. That tree no longer exists, but there are still 2 seedlings from that tree; One was planted in 1601 in René Viviani Square across the Seine from Notre Dame; Another was planted in 1636 in Le Jardin des Plantes

It can grow in poor soils because Robinias are in the Fabaceae family and nitrogen fixing.

Robinia is a large, irregularly shaped tree, growing to 25 feet and suckering freely.

Bloom 5.23.13, trail behind Chateau Marquis de Sade in Lacoste

Leaflet, 5.23.13, trail behind Chateau Marquis de Sade

Tree planted in 1601 in René Viviani Square, Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre, Paris