Cytisus scoparius - charcoal broom (Forestry broom)

Genus including about 50 species of shrubs, rarely of small trees, deciduous or evergreen, native to Europe, western Asia and northern Africa, which grow in well-drained soils, from high mountains to scrublands, heaths, low altitudes. Cytisus scoparius is a rapidly growing deciduous shrub, up to 3 m tall, highly branched and erect. The young stems are angular due to the presence of 5 longitudinal ribs. The leaves are composed of 3 obovate, slightly pubescent leaflets, 1-2 cm long. The papilionaceous flowers are numerous, yellow-gold in color and bloom in spring. The dehiscent fruit is a 2-3 cm long legume, ciliated on the edges, green in colour, black when ripe.

Pedoclimatic needs

It prefers sunny and bright environments, acidic, deep substrates, without water stagnation, with a predominantly sandy component. This species grows from sea level up to 1400 meters and is particularly resistant to both scorching heat and frost, resisting down to -8°/-10°C. This broom is also very resistant to drought and, having a robust root system that develops deep, it is often used to consolidate slopes. Also widely used in parks and gardens for its beautiful flowering.

Botanical Information

Name: Botanical Cytisus scoparius

Family: Leguminoseae