Genet (Spartium junceum, Sp. Pl.: 708 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 708 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Spartium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Azores, S. Europe to E. Medit.

Description

The plant commonly known as Genet, scientifically named Spartium junceum, is an intriguing and versatile species within the Fabaceae family. Originally cataloged by the eminent Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work Species Plantarum in 1753, this plant boasts a rich botanical history.

Genet thrives across a broad geographical range, from the sun-kissed Azores to the diverse climates of Southern Europe, extending its reach to the eastern regions of the Mediterranean. This widespread presence indicates the plant’s impressive adaptability and resilience in various environmental conditions.

Remarkable for its slender, rush-like green stems and vibrant yellow flowers, Spartium junceum is not just visually striking but also serves ecological purposes. Its flowers bloom in the spring and summer, offering a burst of color and a lovely fragrance that attracts pollinators such as bees, which are crucial for maintaining local biodiversity.

Genet is often utilized in landscaping and gardening for its ornamental qualities and its ability to stabilize soils with its deep root system, helping prevent erosion in hilly or coastal areas. Despite its delicate appearance, it is a hardy plant that requires minimal maintenance once established, making it a favorite among gardeners and landscapers seeking low-care yet beautiful additions to their spaces.

With its historical significance, broad adaptability, and ecological benefits, Genet stands out as a noteworthy and valuable member of the plant kingdom.

Common Names

Deu: binsenginster
Afr: spaanse besem
Eng: spanish broom, spanish-broom, genet, weaver’s-broom
Fra: spartier, spartier à tiges de jonc, genêt d’espagne
Spa: canarios, gayomba, genista de españa, ginesta, ginesta vera, ginestera, herba de ballester, hiniestra, retama, retama de flor, retama de los jardines, retama de olor, retama macho
Por: giesta, giesta-de-flor, giesta-dos-jardins, giesteira
Cat: ginesta
Ita: ginestra di spagna, ginstra
Swe: spanskginst
Nld: spaanse brem
Cym: banadl sbaen, banadl sbaeneg, banhadlen sbaen
En: Genet, Spanish-broom, Weaver’s-broom, Spanish broom, Weawer’s Broom, Yellow Spanish Broom, Retama Macho, Weaver’s broom
Af: Spaanse besem, Spaanse brem
Ar: وزال
Hy: Կեմենի ճիպոտանման
Az: Qatırdırnağı
Eu: Espainiar isats
Bg: Спарциум
Ca: Ginesta, Ginesta vera, Ginestera
Zh: 鷹爪豆, 鹰爪豆
Co: Ghjuncu
Hr: Brnistra
Cs: Vítečník sítinovitý
Nl: Spaanse brem, Bezemstruik, Priemkruid
Eo: Spartio
Fi: Piiskaherne
Fr: Genêt d’Espagne, Sparte, Spartier, Spartier à tiges de jonc, Faux Genêt d’Espagne, Geneste, Gineste, Joncier, Spartier faux jonc, Spartion, Genet d’Espagne
De: Binsenginster, Spanischer Ginster, Pfriemenginster, Binsen-Ginster
El: Σπάρτο
He: אחירותם החורש
Hu: Jeneszter
It: Ginestra di Spagna, Ginstra, Ginestra comune, Ginestra odorosa, Spartium junceum, Ginestra, Maggio
No: Spansk gyvel
Fa: طاووسی
Pl: Szczodrzenica sitowata
Pt: Giesteira, Esparto, Giesta, Giesta-de-flor, Giesta-dos-jardins
Qu: Ritama
Ru: Метельник
Sr: Жуква
Es: Retacchu, Retama, Retama de olor, Retama macho, Canarios, Gayomba, Genista de España, Ginesta, Ginesta vera, Ginestera, Herba de ballester, Hiniestra, Retama de flor, Retama de los jardines, Retama olorosa
Sv: Spanskginst
Zh-tw: 鷹爪豆
Tg: Гули товус
Zh-hant: 鷹爪豆
Tr: Katırtırnağı
Cy: Banhadlen Sbaen, Banadl Sbaen, Banadl Sbaeneg

Synonyms

• Genista hispanica (Garsault)
• Spartium americanum (Meyen)
• Spartianthus americanus (Steud.)
• Spartianthus junceus (Link)
• Spartium junceum f. plenum ((Weston) Rehder)
• Spartium junceum var. plenum (Weston)
• Spartium acutifolium (Lindl.)
• Spartium junceum ochroleucum (Sprenger)
• Spartium junceum var. flore-pleno (Carrière)
• Cytisus junceus ((L.) Vuk.)
• Spartium junceum f. ochroleucum ((Sprenger) Rehder)
• Genista odorata (Moench)
• Spartium japonicum (Miq.)
• Genista americana (Spach)
• Spartium odoratum (Dulac)
• Spartium odoratissimum (D.Don ex Steud.)
• Genista acutifolia (Spach)
• Genista juncea ((L.) Scop.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Corse (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Afghanistan (introduced)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Angola (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chile North (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Iraq (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Libya (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• North Caucasus (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)
• Turkmenistan (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 22, 2018 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 31, 2020 by Dimos argirios (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2021 by David Vado (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2018 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2018 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 28, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 28, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2019 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 20, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Patrice GIRAUDEAU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Patrice GIRAUDEAU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Feb 3, 2022 by Lars Mannzen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 3, 2022 by Lars Mannzen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 28, 2021 by Manel Santanach (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 11, 2021 by Дима Дима (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5355395)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:519057-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Spartium junceum L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Shrub

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.5

Ph minimum: 5.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 4