Calicotome villosa
Calicotome villosa | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Subfamily: | Faboideae |
Genus: | Calicotome |
Species: | C. villosa
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Binomial name | |
Calicotome villosa |
Calicotome villosa, also known as hairy thorny broom and spiny broom, is a small shrubby tree native to the Mediterranean region.[1]
Etymology
Calicotome is derived from the Greek Kalux, calyx and tomos, cut ; this refers to the fact that, after flowering, the calyx breaks off in circle and looks as if cut. Villosa is derived from the Latin villus, hair, because the pods are usually hairy.
Description
Shrubby tree, 1–2 m, very spiny. Twigs striate, villous. Leaves digitate, with three leaflets, inserted in clusters on branchlets. Flowers inserted in the middle of the leaves on branchlets. Calyx campanulate, puberulent, with margins almost entire. Corolla 10–12 mm, bright yellow. Standard ample, longer than other parts. Pod densely villous. The tree blossoms in January through April.
Habitat
Rocky hillsides and bushy places. The tree is found in the
Usage in antiquity
The florets were used in ancient times to flavor sesame oil.
References
- ^ hdl:10261/62780.
- ^ "Calicotome villosa (Poir.) Link". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
- ^ What is described by al-Tamimi as the aroma of sap which exudes from the Storax tree (Styrax officinalis), or what is called in Arabic al-mi'ah.
- ISBN 965-226-252-8(Hebrew)
- ^ Nissim Krispil, Medicinal Plants in Israel and Throughout the World - the Complete Guide, Or Yehuda (Israel) 2000, p. 204
- Mustapha Nehmeh, Wild flowers of Lebanon,National Council For Scientific Research,1978.
- Georges Tohme& Henriette Tohme, IIIustrated Flora of Lebanon, National Council For Scientific Research, Second Edition 2014.