- Spanish Broom
Taxobox
name = Spanish Broom
status = LR/lc
image_width = 240px
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo =Fabales
familia =Fabaceae
genus = "Spartium"
species = "S. junceum"
binomial = "Spartium junceum"
binomial_authority = L.Spanish Broom ("Spartium junceum", syn. "Genista juncea"), also known as Weaver's Broom, is a perennial, leguminous
shrub native to theMediterranean region in southernEurope , southwestAsia and northwestAfrica , 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".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 (awater -conserving strategy in its dry climate). In late spring and summer it is covered in profuse fragrant pale yellowflower s 2 cm across. In late summer, itslegume s (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.It has been widely introduced into other areas, and is regarded as a noxious
invasive species in places with aMediterranean climate such asCalifornia andOregon , centralChile , southeasternAustralia , and theCanary Islands .In
Bolivia , the plant is known as retama, and has become very well established in some areas. It is one of the most common ornamental plants, often seen growing along sidewalks in La Paz. Retama has made its way into the ethnobotany of the indigenousAymara andQuechua cultures. Under the Spanish influence, those cultures have adopted the belief that retama can be used to ward off evil. Sprigs of flowering retama are often kept in the home, and street vendors will often lay a flowering branch of retama on top of their booths when they close up shop for the night.References
* [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?35189 Germplasm Resources Information Network: "Spartium junceum"]
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