Cytisus scoparius
| Cytisus scoparius | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Cross Pollinated | |
| Height: | 8' |
| Width: | 3' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Cytisus scoparius (common name: broom)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame[1]. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water then cold stratify for 1 month and sow in a cold frame[1]. The seed usually germinates in 4 weeks at 20°c[2][3]. Seedlings should be potted up as soon as possible since plants quickly become intolerant of root disturbance[4]. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late summer if they have made sufficient growth, otherwise in late spring of the following year[K]. The seed has a long viability[4].
Seed can also be sown in situ as soon as it is ripe in the late summer and autumn[5].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 4 - 7 cm with a heel, August in a frame[6]. Produces roots in the spring[6]. Pot up as soon as possible[6].
Cuttings of mature wood, October/November in a frame.
Layering.
Cultivation: Succeeds in most soils, preferring a fairly good but not rich soil[6]. Prefers a poor well-drained soil[7]. Succeeds in slightly acid, neutral and limy soils but dislikes shallow soils over chalk[8]. Plants are strongly calcifuge according to other reports and intolerant of a pH much above 6.5[9][4]. Prefers a sunny position but tolerates some shade[6][7][9]. Plants succeed in exposed conditions, and are very tolerant of maritime exposure[5][K]. Plants have a deep root system, they are very drought tolerant once established and grow well on dry banks[5][6]. Tolerates a smoky atmosphere, growing well in polluted areas[4].
Plants are hardy to about -20°c[10].
A number of named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[11].
New leaves are formed in April but these soon drop off the plant, photosynthesis being carried out by means of the green stems[4].
Very tolerant of cutting, it regenerates quickly from the base[4]. Plants are usually killed by fire but the seeds quickly germinate after the fire and rapidly become established[4].
A good bee plant and food plant for many caterpillars[12][13][14], it provides the food for the larvae of the green hairstreak butterfly[4]. Ants are attracted to the seeds, feeding on the juicy attachment that holds them to the pods and thus distributing the seed[4].
Dislikes root disturbance, especially when more than 20cm tall[6]. It is best to plant out into their permanent positions as early as possible.
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[8].
Range: Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south to Spain, east to Poland and Hungary.
Habitat: Sandy pastures and heaths, occasionally in open woodland, and often near the coast[5][9]. Strongly calcifuge[9].
Edibility: The flower buds are pickled and used as a substitute for capers[5][14][15][16]. They can also be added to salads[15]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
The tender green tops of the plant have been used like hops to give a bitter flavour to beer and to render it more intoxicating[5][15].
The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[17][5][18][15].
Medicinal: Broom is a bitter narcotic herb that depresses the respiration and regulates heart action[19]. It acts upon the electrical conductivity of the heart, slowing and regulating the transmission of the impulses[20].
The young herbaceous tips of flowering shoots are cardiotonic, cathartic, diuretic, emetic and vasoconstrictor[5][21][22][14][23]. The seeds can also be used[5]. The plant is used internally in the treatment of heart complaints, and is especially used in conjunction with Convallaria majalis[19]. The plant is also strongly diuretic, stimulating urine production and thus countering fluid retention[20]. Since broom causes the muscles of the uterus to contract, it has been used to prevent blood loss after childbirth[20]. Use this herb with caution since large doses are likely to upset the stomach[5][22]. The composition of active ingredients in the plant is very changeable, this makes it rather unreliable medicinally and it is therefore rarely used[24]. This herb should not be prescribed to pregnant women or patients with high blood pressure[19]. Any treatment with this plant should only be carried out under expert supervision[24]. See also the notes above on toxicity.
The young herbaceous tips of flowering shoots are harvested in spring, generally in May[5]. They can be used fresh or dried[5][19]. They should not be stored for more than 12 months since the medicinally active ingredients break down[19].
Usage: An excellent fibre is obtained from the bark, it is used in the manufacture of paper, cloth and nets[5][25][18]. It is not as strong as the fibre from the Spanish broom (Spartium junceum)[5]. The fibre is obtained from the root according to other reports[21][14]. The bark fibre is used to make paper, it is 2 - 9mm long[26]. The branches are harvested in late summer or autumn, the leaves removed and the stems steamed until the fibres can be stripped. The fibres are cooked for 3 hours in lye then put in a ball mill for 3 hours. The paper is pale tan in colour[26].
The bark is a good source of tannin[5].
A yellow and a brown dye are obtained from the bark[14].
A yellow dye is obtained from the flowering stem[27].
A green dye is obtained from the leaves and young tops[5].
The branches are used to make baskets, brushes, brooms and besoms[5][28][21][14][29][18]. They are also sometimes used for thatching roofs and as substitutes for reeds in making fences or screens[5].
An essential oil from the flowers is used in perfumery[30].
Growing well on dry banks and on steep slopes, it is an effective sand binder and soil stabiliser[5][6][14]. Broom is one of the first plant to colonize sand dunes by the coast[5].
The plant attracts insects away from nearby plants[7].
The var. prostratus (= C. scoparius maritimus?[31]) makes a good fast growing ground cover plant to 30cm tall, though it needs weeding in its first year[32]. The cultivar 'Andreanus Prostratus' can also be used[31].
Wood - very hard, beautifully veined[5]. The plant seldom reaches sufficient size for its wood to be of much value, but larger specimens are valued by cabinet makers and for veneer[5].
Pollinators: Bees
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
Pollution: Tolerates environmental pollution.
Seed Ripens: Late Summer-Late Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Poisonous[33][34][35]. The plant is of extremely low or zero toxicity[36].
Also Known As: Sarothamnus scoparius. Spartium scoparium.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 McMillan-Browse, Philip. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books, 1985.
- ↑ Gordon, A and D Rowe. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. 1982.
- ↑ Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Beckett, Kenneth and Gillian Beckett. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold, 1979.
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 5.19 5.20 5.21 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Hylton, Josie and William Holtom. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press, 1979.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Baines, Chris. Making a Wildlife Garden.
- ↑ Carter, David. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan, 1982.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 14.6 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger. Herbs. Pan Books, 1990.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Sowerby, John. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. 1862.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Lust, John. The Herb Book. Bantam Books, 1983.
- ↑ Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Europe. Oxford University Press, 1969.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 Bell, Lilian. Plant Fibres for Papermaking. Liliaceae Press, 1988.
- ↑ Buchanan, Rita. A Weavers Garden.
- ↑ Mabey, Richard. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana, 1979.
- ↑ Harris, Ben. Eat the Weeds. Pivot Health, 1973.
- ↑ Schery. Robert. Plants for Man. Prentice Hall, 1972.
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 Thomas, Graham. Plants for Ground Cover. Everyman, 1990.
- ↑ Napier, Elspeth. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells, 1989.
- ↑ Altmann, Horst. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus, 1980.
- ↑ Stary, Frantisek. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn, 1983.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.
- ↑ Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.