Genista tyrrhena subsp. pontiana - Ponza broom (forest alveolus)

Genus of around sixty species of shrubs and small deciduous trees, often thorny, distributed in the Mediterranean basin, from southern Europe to the Middle East and North Africa. Genista tyrrhena subsp. pontiana is a medium-sized deciduous shrub up to 2 m tall endemic to the Pontine islands. The leaves are small and fall early, while the slender, genistiform branches are glaucous-silvery. In spring it produces numerous small, pleasantly scented golden yellow flowers. The fruits are minute tomentose legumes generally with only 1 seed.

Pedoclimatic needs

It prefers sunny positions and dry, stony, non-calcareous soils, where it resists long periods of drought. It is also a partially rustic species, it tolerates winter frosts as long as they are not too long and prolonged up to -4°/-6°C.

Botanical Information

Botanical Name: Genista tyrrhena subsp. Pontiana

Family: Leguminosae