Wikimedia Commons
Fabaceae
Common Broom
Cytisus scoparius
Humility and resilience.
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Genus
- Cytisus
- Native to
- Western Europe
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Type
- shrub
- Height
- 3-8 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- dry, sandy, poor, acidic
- Water
- low
- Hardiness
- 5-8
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- The genus name scoparius means 'broom-like' in Latin — the supple green stems were historically bundled together to make actual household brooms.
- Broom is the heraldic emblem of the Plantagenet dynasty: Henry II of England adopted the sprig of planta genista as his symbol.
- When a bee lands on the flower, the stamens spring upward and dust the insect with pollen in a forceful explosive movement.
- Though native to Europe, common broom has become an invasive species across North America, Australia, and New Zealand, out-competing native plants.
- The plant produces toxic alkaloids including sparteine, which has been used historically in heart medications.
Color meanings
0
cleanliness
1
persistence
2
humble origins