Spanish Broom

Spanish Broom (Spartium junceum, syn. Genista juncea), also known as Weaver's Broom, is a perennial, leguminous shrub native to the western Mediterranean region in southwestern Europe and northwest Africa, where it is found in sunny sites, usually on dry, sandy soils. It is the sole species in the genus Spartium, but is closely related to the other brooms in the genera Cytisus and Genista.

Related Topics:
Syn. - Shrub - Mediterranean - Europe - Africa - Brooms

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Spanish Broom typically grows to 2-4 m tall, rarely 5 m, with main stems up to 5 cm thick, rarely 10 cm. It has thick, somewhat succulent grey-green rush-like shoots with very sparse small deciduous leaves 1-3 cm long and 2-4 mm broad; the leaves are of minimal importance to the plant, with much of the photosynthesis occurring in the green shoots (a water-conserving strategy in its dry climate). In late spring and summer is covered in profuse pale yellow flowers 2 cm across. In late summer, its legumes (seed pods) mature black, 4-8 cm long, 6-8 mm broad and 2-3 mm thick; they burst open, often with an audible crack, spreading seed from the parent plant.

Related Topics:
Succulent - Rush - Leaves - Photosynthesis - Water - Flower - Legume - Seed

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It has been widely introduced into other continents, and is regarded as a noxious invasive species in places with a Mediterranean climate such as California, central Chile, and southeastern Australia.

Related Topics:
Invasive species - Mediterranean climate - California - Chile - Australia

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