Cytisus scoparius
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Cytisus scoparius (syn. Sarothamnus scoparius) is a perennial, leguminous shrub native to northwestern Europe, where it is found in sunny sites, usually on dry, sandy soils. The common name, Broom, is also used generically for other related species (see broom).
It typically grows to 1-3 m tall, rarely 4 m, with main stems up to 5 cm thick, rarely 10 cm. It has green shoots with small deciduous trifoliate leaves 5-15 mm long, and in spring and summer is covered in profuse golden yellow flowers 20-30 mm from top to bottom and 15-20 mm wide. Flowering occurs after 50-80 growing degree days. In late summer, its legumes (seed pods) mature black, 2-3 cm long, 8 mm broad and 2-3 mm thick; they burst open, often with an audible crack, spreading seed from the parent plant. It is the hardiest species of broom, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°C.
It has been widely introduced into other continents, and is regarded as a noxious invasive species in many places such as California and the Pacific Northwest in North America, and New Zealand.
It is also known as Common Broom, European Broom, Scots Broom, Irish Broom, English Broom, and, controversially, "Scotch Broom", a spelling best avoided as it causes offence in Scotland (NODE).
External links
- [Bioimages - numerous photos]
- [Growing native plants]
- [U.S. invasive species info page]
- [Canada invasive species description]
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