Cytisus scoparius: Difference between revisions
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* [http://www.bioimages.org.uk/HTML/R151074.HTM Bioimages - numerous photos] |
* [http://www.bioimages.org.uk/HTML/R151074.HTM Bioimages - numerous photos] |
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* [http://www.growingnative.org.uk/broom.htm Growing native plants] |
* [http://www.growingnative.org.uk/broom.htm Growing native plants] |
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* [http://www. |
* [http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/scotchbroom.shtml U.S. invasive species info page] |
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* [http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/index/scotch-broom Canada invasive species description] |
* [http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/index/scotch-broom Canada invasive species description] |
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Revision as of 23:21, 20 June 2010
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| Species: | C. scoparius
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Cytisus scoparius (Common Broom; syn. Sarothamnus scoparius) is a perennial, leguminous shrub native to western and central Europe,[1] where it is found in sunny sites, usually on dry, sandy soils at low altitudes.[2] In some places outside of its native range it has become an ecologically damaging invasive species.[3]
In Britain and Ireland the standard name is Broom,[4][2][5] but this name is also used generically for other related species (see broom), and the term Common Broom is sometimes used for clarification.[6][7] In other English-speaking countries, the most prevalent common name is Scotch Broom;[8] English Broom is also occasionally used (see Scotch and England).
Description
It typically grows to 1-3 m tall, rarely 4 m, with main stems up to 5 cm thick, rarely 10 cm. It has green shoots with small deciduous trifoliate leaves 5-15 mm long, and in spring and summer is covered in profuse golden yellow flowers 20-30 mm from top to bottom and 15-20 mm wide. Flowering occurs after 50-80 growing degree days. In late summer, its legumes (seed pods) mature black, 2-3 cm long, 8 mm broad and 2-3 mm thick; they burst open, often with an audible crack, forcibly throwing seed from the parent plant. It is the hardiest species of broom, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°C.[2][9][5]
Subspecies
There are two subspecies:[1][2]
- Cytisus scoparius subsp. scoparius. Throughout the species' range.
- Cytisus scoparius subsp. maritimus (Rouy) Heywood. Western Europe, on maritime cliffs. Differs in prostrate growth, not over 0.4 m tall, and downy young shoots.
Cultivation and naturalization
It 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.[9]
It has been introduced into several other continents outside its native range and is classified as a noxious invasive species in California and the Pacific Northwest in North America, Australia and New Zealand. It commonly grows in disturbed areas along utility and transportation right-of-ways. The prolific growth of this species after timber harvest inhibits reforestation by competing with seedling trees.[10] It is estimated that in Oregon it is responsible for USD$47 million in lost timber production each year in that state.[11] Some attempts have been made to develop biological controls in affected areas, using three broom-feeding insects, the psyllid Arytainilla spartiophylla, the beetle Bruchidius villosus, and the moth Leucoptera spartifoliella.[12]
In New Zealand broom is estimated to cost farmers NZD$10 million and the forestry industry NZD$90 million.[13] Biological control for broom has been investigated since the mid 1980s with a number of species being trialled. They include the broom twig miner (Leucoptera spartifoliella), the broom seed beetles (Bruchidius villosus) the broom gall mite (Aceria genistae) the sap-sucking broom psyllid (Arytainilla spartiophila) and recently the broom leaf beetle (Gonioctena olivacea) and the broom shoot moth (Agonopterix assimilella).[14]
Images
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Close-up of flowers -
Broom in Wellington, New Zealand where it is an invasive species. -
Illustration of broom from Koehler's Medicinal Plants. (1887) -
As an invasive species in the United States.
Royal connection
The surname of the House of Plantagenet, rulers of England in the Middle Ages, was derived from common broom, which was then known as "planta genista" in Latin. The "broomscod", or seed-pod, was the personal emblem of Charles VI of France.
References
- ^ a b Flora Europaea: Cytisus scoparius
- ^ a b c d Blamey, M. & Grey-Wilson, C. (1989). Flora of Britain and Northern Europe. Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 0-340-40170-2.
- ^ Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, 103 (2-3), May-Dec 2006 356-365 HABITAT MODIFICATIONS BY SCOTCH BROOM CYTISUS SCOPARIUS INVASION OF GRASSLANDS OF THE UPPER NILGIRIS IN INDIA, ASHFAQ AHMED ZARRI1, 2, ASAD R. RAHMANI1,4 AND MARK J. BEHAN3 1 Bombay Natural History Society, Hornbill House, S.B. Singh Road Mumbai 400 023, Maharashtra, India. 2 Present Address: Centre for Biodiversity Studies, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri 185131, J&K, India. Email: ashfaq_az@rediffmail.com 3 Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula 59812, USA. 4 Email: bnhs@bom3.vsnl.net.in
- ^ Botanical Society of the British Isles (zip file)
- ^ a b Vedel, H. & Lange, J. (1960). Trees and bushes. Metheun, London.
- ^ Wild Flowers of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Scotland
- ^ Garden World: common broom
- ^ National Park Service: Scotch Broom
- ^ a b Bean, W. J. (1970). Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles. John Murray, London. ISBN 0-7195-1790-7
- ^ "Invasive Plant Species Management Plan" (PDF). McDonald-Dunn Forest Plan, Appendix 7. Oregon State University, College of Forestry. Retrieved 2006-12-20.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); line feed character in|work=at position 27 (help) - ^ "Scotch broom". ODA Plant Division, Noxious Weed Control. Retrieved 2006-09-03.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ CSIRO: Biological control
- ^ Press release (2008-02-12). "New bio-controls for pest plant". Landcare Research. Retrieved 2008-03-02.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "What's New In Biological Control of Weeds?" (pdf). Landcare Research. 2006. Retrieved 2008-03-02.
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External links
