Cytisus
Scotch broom ( Cytisus scoparius )
The Geißklee ( Cytisus ) is a genus broom- like shrubs from the legume family ( Fabaceae ).
Description
These are shrubs that are everywhere, but at least, highly branched at the base. Depending on the type, they can reach heights of growth between 30 and 300 centimeters. Some species form long underground runners.
The leaves are pinnate or fingered three parts to the simple and narrow. There are also types that show both leaf shapes, or which are nearly leafless.
The mostly yellow, white flowers in some species also may be in terminal, erect, long ( Lembotropis ) or short racemose inflorescences, or too few in the leaf axils ( Sarothamnus ). In contrast to similar genera of the chalice of the flowers is hardly longer than wide. The two upper teeth of the calyx are about the same size as the three lower teeth. The flower stalk is about as long as or longer than the calyx.
Distribution and habitat requirements
Most species grow preferentially on dry, rocky places, such as dry meadows, open woods or on rocky slopes.
Unlike most similar genera that are mainly found in oceanic influenced western Europe, some Silver-studded species occur in continental climates characterized prior to in Western Asia. But particularly rich in species is the Mediterranean area here.
System
A description of the genus is difficult because the distinction to similar genres such as laburnum ( Laburnum ), dwarf broom ( Chamaecytisus ) and broom ( Genista ) is unclear and varies significantly depending on the weighting of the characteristics of different authors. Furthermore, many genera Sarothamnus, Corothamnus and Lembotropis be separated from Cytisus. The classification is carried out so far on purely morphological features. The genus has about 30-70 species.
The description in this article refers to Cytisus including Sarothamnus, Corothamnus and Lembotropis but exclusive Chamaecytisus.
Here is a list of species and hybrids by GRIN:
- Cytisus aeolicus cast. ex Lindley
- Cytisus arboreus ( Desf. ) DC.
- Cytisus ardoini E. Fourn.
- Cytisus baeticus ( Webb) Steud.
- Cytisus balansae ( Boiss. ) Ball
- Cytisus × beanii G. Nicholson: Hybrid C. ardoini × C. purgans
- Cytisus cantabricus ( Willk. ) Rchb. f
- Cytisus caucasicus Grossh.
- Cytisus commutatus ( Willk. ) Briq.
- Cytisus × dallimorei Rolfe: Hybrid C. multiflorus × C. scoparius ' Andreanus '
- Low- Lying Geißklee ( Cytisus decumbens ( Durande ) Spach )
- Cytisus filipes Webb & Berthel.
- Cytisus galianoi Talavera & P. E. Gibbs
- Cytisus glabratus link
- Cytisus grandiflorus DC.
- Cytisus × kewensis Bean: Hybrid C. ardoinii × C. multiflorus
- Cytisus multiflorus (L' Hér. ) Sweet
- Black Nascent Geißklee ( Cytisus nigricans L.)
- Cytisus oromediterraneus Rivas Mart. et al.
- Cytisus × praecox Bean: hybrid C. × C. multiflorus purgans
- Scotch broom ( Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link )
- Cytisus striatus ( Hill ) Rothm.
- Cytisus supranubius ( L. f ) Kuntze
- Cytisus valdesii Talavera & P. E. Gibbs
- Cytisus × versicolor Dippel: Hybrid C. hirsutus × C. purpureus
- Cytisus villosus Pourr.
- Cytisus virescens Wohlf.
Here is a list of central European species:
- Low- Lying Geißklee ( Cytisus decumbens ( Durande ) Spach )
- Bush vetch - Geißklee ( Cytisus emeriflorus Rchb. )
- Black Nascent Geißklee ( Cytisus nigricans L.)
- Cytisus procumbens ( W. & K. ) ex Willd. ) Spreng.
- Scotch broom ( Cytisus scoparius (L.) Luke )
Are no longer counted in the genus Cytisus (selection):
- Cytisus Laburnum alpinum alpinus Mill →
- Cytisus L. argenteus → Argyrolobium zanonii
- Cytisus L. austriacus → Chamaecytisus austriacus
- Cytisus candicans (L.) DC. → Genista monspessulana
- Cytisus hirsutus L. hirsutus → Chamaecytisus
- Cytisus laburnum L. → Laburnum anagyroides
- Cytisus L. monspessulanus → Genista monspessulana
- Cytisus purpureus Scop. → Chamaecytisus purpureus
- Cytisus ratisbonensis Schaeff. → Chamaecytisus ratisbonensis
- Cytisus L. supinus → Chamaecytisus supinus
Use
Some species and their hybrids are used as ornamental plants, including the Vielblütige broom, the Spanish Geißklee ( Cytisus multiflorus (L' Hér. ) Sweet) and the Ivory broom ( Cytisus × praecox Beauverd ).
The Scotch broom ( Cytisus scoparius (L.) Luke ) is often used for planting of embankments.