Cytisus scoparius

Cytisus scoparius
Common broom
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus: Cytisus
Species:
C. scoparius
Binomial name
Cytisus scoparius
Synonyms[1]
List
    • Sarothamnus bourgaei Boiss.
    • Sarothamnus oxyphyllus Boiss.
    • Sarothamnus scoparius (L.) W.D.J.Koch
    • Sarothamnus vulgaris Wimm.
    • Spartium scoparium L.

Cytisus scoparius (syn. Sarothamnus scoparius), the common broom or Scotch broom, is a deciduous leguminous shrub native to western and central Europe.[2] In Great Britain and Ireland, the standard name is broom;[3][4][5] this name is also used for other members of the Genisteae tribe, such as French broom or Spanish broom; and the term common broom is sometimes used for clarification.[6][7] In other English-speaking countries, the most common name is "Scotch broom" (or Scots broom);[8] however, it is known as English broom in Australia.[9]

Though this plant is native to Europe, it has spread to many other parts of the world. Scotch broom is now common in certain areas of North America and South America. This is because people started introducing Scotch broom to different areas of the world.

After it was introduced in North America, Scotch broom was frequently planted in gardens. Later, it was used for erosion control along highway cuts and fills.[10]

There are other problems with Scotch broom as well. It is slightly toxic and unpalatable to livestock.[11] It also has seeds that are viable for up to ten years, making them able to grow even after years of extermination.

  1. ^ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Theplantlist.org. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  2. ^ "Flora Europaea Search Results". Rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference blamey was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (zip file)". Bsbi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 3 February 2007. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  5. ^ H. Vedel; J. Lange (1960). Trees and Bushes. London: Metheun.
  6. ^ "Wild Flowers of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Scotland". Lenymede.demon.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 October 2006. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  7. ^ "GardenWorld". Archived from the original on 2006-10-06. Retrieved 2006-12-17.
  8. ^ "What is Scotch Broom?". Archived from the original on 2006-12-05. Retrieved 2006-11-20.
  9. ^ "English broom". Agriculture.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 16 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  10. ^ "Exotic Species: Scotch Broom (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  11. ^ "Exotic Species: Scotch Broom (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-13.