Cactus?

Are you certain it is not an asparagus (maybe a wild one?) with thorns?

I happen to love the more common kind of cactus (you often see it on the side of the road...I saw many when driving to Kalamata. I love their flowers and their fruit is one of my favourite (alla prokalei dyskiliotita).

I also love the hairy cactus (the thorns grow long and very thin, so that they look like balls of hair. Just don't stick your hand into one.

I thought you were coming to South Africa towards the end of last year. If you do come, check out the multitude of cacti growing/available in this country.