Spartium junceum
| Spartium junceum | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 11' |
| Width: | 10' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Spartium junceum (common name: spanish broom)
Propagation: Seed - pre-soak 24 hours in hot water and sow February/March in a greenhouse. It usually germinates well and quickly[1][2]. The seed can also be autumn sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[2]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. If sufficient growth is made, it is possible to plant out in the summer, otherwise overwinter them in a cold frame and plant out in late spring of the following year.
Cultivation: Succeeds in any well-drained but not too fertile soil in a sunny position[2]. Prefers a lime free soil according to one report[3] whilst another says that it thrives on alkaline and poor sandy soils[2]. Very wind resistant, tolerating maritime exposure[4][2]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[2] and thrives on hot dry banks[5][4].
A very ornamental plant, it is hardy to between -10 and -18°c when in a suitable position[2].
The flowers have a fragrance that has been likened to oranges[6].
Plants can become leggy if grown in a sheltered position or too rich a soil[2], but they can be pruned almost to the ground and will resprout from the base[K]. They can also be trimmed in early spring in order to keep them more compact[7].
Plants are intolerant of root disturbance, they are best grown in pots and planted out into their permanent positions whilst still small[5]. Plants often self-sow in Britain[3].
Rabbits love eating this plant when it is young[3][K].
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[2].
Range: S. Europe to N. Africa. Naturalized in S. Britain[8].
Habitat: Dry situations amongst rocks and in bushy places, usually on limestone soils[9][10].
Medicinal: The young herbaceous tips of flowering shoots are harvested in spring, generally in May[11]. They can be used fresh or dried and are cardiotonic, cathartic, diuretic, emetic and purgative[11][12][13]. The seeds can also be used[11]. The plant is an efficacious and potent diuretic[12]. This plant is 5 - 6 times more active than the medicinally similar Cytisus scoparius and should be used with caution since large doses are likely to upset the stomach and cause purging[11].
Usage: A fibre from the stems is a hemp substitute[10]. It is used to make thread, cordage and coarse fabrics[11][12][5][14][13][15][16]. It is also used for stuffing pillows etc and for making paper[17].
The smaller stems are used in basket making[12][17][14][13][15]. The branches are often made into brooms[12].
A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[12][13][10][16].
An essential oil is obtained from the flowers, it is used in perfumery[17][14]. 1200kg of flowers yields 300 - 350gr absolute[17].
Pollinators: Insects
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-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: Genista juncea. G. odorata.
Links
References
- ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Taylor, Jane. The Milder Garden. Dent, 1990.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press, 1980.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Niebuhr, Alta. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America, 1970.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Polunin, Oleg. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press, 1987.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Natural Food Institute. Wonder Crops 1987.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Buchanan, Rita. A Weavers Garden.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.