Cytisus scoparius

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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 (

leguminous shrub native to western and central Europe.[2] In 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]

Description

Illustration of C. scoparius from Köhler's Medicinal Plants (1887)

Plants of C. scoparius typically grow to 1–3 metres (3+1⁄2–10 feet) tall, rarely to 4 m (13 ft), with main stems up to 5 centimetres (2 inches) thick, rarely 10 cm (4 in). Stems are ridged and green.

Mediterranean and coastal climates, and its range is limited by cold winter temperatures. It also adapts to windy oceanic climates. The seeds, seedlings, and young shoots are sensitive to frost; adult plants are hardier, and branches affected by freezing temperatures regenerate quickly.[3][5][11] C. scoparius contains toxic alkaloids that depress the heart and nervous system.[12]

A legume, this shrub can fix nitrogen in the soil through a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria.

Phytochemicals

One of the main

allelopathic quinolizidine alkaloids (mostly sparteine, lupanine, scoparin and hydroxy-derivatives), which defend the plant against insect infestation and herbivores (with the exception of the resistant aphid species Aphis cytisorum).[13][14]

Classification

The two subspecies of Cytisus scoparius are:[2][3]

  • Cytisus scoparius subsp. scoparius - throughout the species' range.
  • Cytisus scoparius subsp. maritimus (Rouy) Heywood - Western European maritime cliffs and associated environments; differs with prostrate growth; not over 0.4 m tall; downy young shoots.

Distribution and habitat

Cytisus scoparius is native to western and central Europe,[2] being common in Great Britain and Ireland.[15][16] It is found in sunny sites, usually on dry, sandy soils at low altitudes, tolerating very acidic soil conditions.[3]

Outside of its native range, it is an ecologically destructive colonizing invasive species in grassland, shrub and woodland, and other habitats.[17][18]

Ecology

As an invasive species

Broom is an invasive species in North America.

Cytisus scoparius has been introduced into several other countries and continents, outside of its native range, and is commonly classified as a

rights-of-way. The prolific growth of the plants after timber harvest or wildfire events clearly inhibits reforestation efforts, the sprouts competing with native plant seedlings and trees.[24] It is estimated that broom is responsible for US$47 million in lost timber production each year in Oregon state.[25] In New Zealand, broom is estimated to cost the forestry industry NZ$90 million, and to cost farmers an additional NZ$10 million in losses.[26]

Biological control for broom has been investigated since the mid-1980s, with a number of insect species being tested. Some of the tested invertebrates include the broom twig miner (Leucoptera spartifoliella), broom seed beetles (Bruchidius villosus), broom gall mites (Aceria genistae), sap-sucking broom psyllids (Arytainilla spartiophila), the Scotch broom seed weevil (Exapion fuscirostre) and recently, the broom leaf beetle (Gonioctena olivacea) and broom shoot moths (Agonopterix assimilella).[27][28]

Eradication

The method used to remove broom is dependent on its prolific seed cycle. Care should be taken to avoid disturbing (aerating, loosening, etc.) the adjacent ground, the sprouting and seedling plants between late spring and mid-fall; late fall through winter (possibly to mid-spring) are preferred times to eradicate mature plants.

seed pods are young and still green. In cooler, wetter areas pulling is the preferred method, and hand-operated broom pullers are available.[31] Low temperature fires, such as a grass fire, will increase seed germination and new sprouts may form on the burned stumps of mature broom. A spring fire followed by drought conditions will reduce seedling survival.[32]
Often new plants will grow from roots or seed, requiring repeated treatments.

Cultivation

Cytisus scoparius is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant, with several cultivars selected for variation in flower colour, including "Moonlight" with deep yellow flowers, "Andreanus" and "Firefly" with dark orange-red flowers, and growth habit, including "Pendula" with pendulous branchlets.[11]

Uses

Broom contains scoparin, which is a

dropsy due to its diuretic action.[34] An ointment can be made from the flowers to treat gout.[35] Oxysparteine, produced from the action of acid on the sparteine, is useful as a cardiac stimulant and has the advantage over digoxin that it does not accumulate in the body.[33]

Culture

In

Math son of Mathonwy.[35]

Broom was considered a sign of plenty when it bore many flowers.[36] However a traditional rhyme from Sussex warns: "Sweep the house with blossomed broom in May/sweep the head of the household away."[35] Broom was also used in a decorated bundle of broom at weddings in place of rosemary when that was scarce,[36] and its strong smell was said to be able to tame wild horses and dogs.[37]

In Italy, the shrub was burnt with the intent of stopping witches.[35]

Royal symbols

The name of the

seed-pod, was the personal emblem of Charles VI of France
.

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Theplantlist.org. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "Flora Europaea Search Results". Rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  3. ^
    ISBN 0-340-40170-2
    .
  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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "Exotic Species: Scotch Broom (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
  11. ^
    ISBN 0-7195-1790-7
    .
  12. ^ Jim Pojar; A. MacKinnon; Paul B. Alaback (1994). Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast: Washington, Oregon, British Columbia & Alaska. Redmond, WA: Lone Pine.
  13. doi:10.1016/S0031-9422(00)85514-4
    .
  14. S2CID 6640269
    .
  15. ISBN 0-521-04656-4
  16. ISBN 978-185918-4783
  17. ^ a b "Species Profile – Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius (L.))". National Invasive Species Information Center, United States National Agricultural Library. Archived from the original on July 26, 2013. Retrieved October 9, 2013.
  18. ^ Ashfaq Ahmed Zarri; Asad R. Rahmani; Mark J. Behan (2006). "Habitat modifications by Scotch broom Cytisus scoparius invasion of grasslands of the Upper Nilgiris in India". Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society. 103 (2–3): 356–365.
  19. ^ "Cytisus scoparius, C. striatus". www.feis-crs.org. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  20. ^ "Broom". Dpipwe.tas.gov.au. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  21. JSTOR 827200
    .
  22. ^ "Broom – outside Howard – St Arnaud". Pest Management. Nelson City Council. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  23. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3180.2009.00697.x
    .
  24. ^ "Invasive Plant Species Management Plan: Appendix 7" (PDF). McDonald-Dunn Forest Plan. Oregon State University, College of Forestry. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-05-04. Retrieved 2006-12-20.
  25. ^ "Scotch broom". ODA Plant Division, Noxious Weed Control. Retrieved 2006-09-03.
  26. Landcare Research. Archived from the original
    on 2008-03-06. Retrieved 2008-03-02.
  27. Landcare Research. November 2006. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 2007-12-11. Retrieved 2008-03-02.
  28. ^ "CSIRO: Biological control". Landcareresearch.co.nz. Archived from the original on 29 February 2008. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  29. ^ "Best Practices for Invasive Species Management in Garry Oak and Associated Ecosystems : Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius)" (PDF). Goert.ca. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  30. ^ "Scotch Broom : Cytisus scoparius : Tips" (PDF). Bcinvasives.ca. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 May 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  31. ^ "Broombusters". Archived from the original on 2015-05-27. Retrieved 2015-05-27.
  32. ^ "Cytisus scoparius, C. striatus". Fs.fed.us. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  33. ^
    ISBN 9780486227986
    , p. 127
  34. ISBN 9780486227986
    , pp 126-127
  35. ^ a b c d D.C. Watts Dictionary of Plant Lore, p. 47, at Google Books
  36. ^
    ISBN 9780486227986
    , p. 126
  37. ^ Roberto Dainotto The Mafia: A Cultural History, p. 106, at Google Books
  38. ^ Costain, Thomas B (1962). The Conquering Family. New York: Popular Library.
  39. ISBN 9780670026654
    .
  40. ^ J. Bernard Burke The Heraldic Register, p. 65, at Google Books

Further reading

  • "Scotch Broom". Ingrid Parker's Lab • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology • UC Santa Cruz. Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cytisus_scoparius&oldid=1221109669"