Western Mediterranean formations, for the most part limited to the lower meso-mediterranean and thermo-mediterranean zones of the western Iberian peninsula, with outposts in western Morocco, dominated by gorse (Ulex spp., Stauracanthus spp.) of thermo-Mediterranean affinities, or by the spiny, globular broom Genista hirsuta, accompanied by a cortège of plants characteristic of the meso- and thermo-mediterranean cistus maquis (F5.23), thermo-mediterranean scrub (F5.51) or, occasionally, meso-mediterranean garrigues (F6.1). Other thermo-mediterranean gorse formations will be found among the more specialised extreme southern Iberian endemic communities listed under F5.55, F5.58, F5.59, F5.5A-F5.5C.