Portuguese broom (Cytisus striatus, Feddes Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 53: 149 (1944))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (Hill) Rothm.

Bibliography: Feddes Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 53: 149 (1944)

Year: 1944

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cytisus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Iberian Pen., N. Morocco

Description

Portuguese broom, scientifically known as Cytisus striatus, is a notable shrub belonging to the Fabaceae family. This plant is primarily found across the Iberian Peninsula and the northern regions of Morocco.

Standing out in landscapes where it thrives, Portuguese broom is well-regarded for its dense, broom-like appearance. It typically presents striking green branches adorned with bright yellow flowers, which contribute to its visual appeal during the blooming season. The plant’s structural form and vibrant coloration make it a significant component of its native habitats.

Cytisus striatus plays an essential role in its ecosystem, offering both aesthetic value and ecological benefits. As a member of the Fabaceae family, it shares the common trait of nitrogen fixation, which enhances soil fertility—a vital process supporting the growth of surrounding flora.

This species’ significance was scientifically cataloged in 1944 in the “Feddes Repertorium Specierum Novarum Regni Vegetabilis” (53: 149), with its botanical nomenclature attributed to the botanist Rothmaler, based on earlier identifications by Hill.

Ideal for gardeners and ecological restoration projects, Portuguese broom can be utilized for its ornamental properties and its ability to stabilize soils and prevent erosion. However, it is essential to manage its growth correctly to ensure that it does not become invasive outside its native regions.

In summary, the Portuguese broom is a versatile and ecologically beneficial plant that commands attention both for its beauty and its role in supporting and enriching the environments where it naturally occurs.

Common Names

Fra: genêt strié, cytise strié
Deu: gestreifter ginster
Eng: hairy-fruited broom, portuguese broom, striated broom, hairy-fruit broom, hairy fruited broom, striped broom
Spa: giesteira-das-serras
Nld: gestreepte brem
Cym: banadl blewog, banhadlen godflewog
En: Portuguese broom, Hairy-fruit broom, Striated broom, Hairy-fruited Broom, Hairy Fruited Broom, Striped broom
Nl: Gestreepte brem
Fr: Genêt à balais strié, Genêt strié, Cytise strié
Gl: Xesta molar
De: Streifenginster, Gestreifter Ginster, Gestreifter Besenginster
Pt: Giesta, Giesta-amarela, Giesteira-das-serras, Maia
Es: Giesteira-das-serras, Escobón morisco
Cy: Banhadlen godflewog, Banadl Blewog

Synonyms

• Spartium striatum ((Hill) Samp.)
• Sarothamnus striatus var. eriocarpus ((Boiss. & Reut.) M.Laínz)
• Sarothamnus striatus ((Hill) Samp.)
• Cytisus pendulinus (L.f.)
• Genista striata (Hill)
• Genista pendulina (Lam.)

Distribution

• Morocco (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Spain (native)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Verde (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Corse (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Jul 12, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 11, 2021 by Jörg D (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2020 by Roldán Prieto Paula (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2019 by Thomas Haug (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 8, 2020 by Sergio Baldo (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 9, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Ans GORTER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 12, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2022 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 15, 2021 by Julián Díaz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2021 by Kai Jacobs (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 26, 2022 by Lisa S (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2022 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2021 by p ant (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 31, 2021 by Zoghbi Duée (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2021 by Antonio Ramírez Martín (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 9, 2022 by Roberto Sacristan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2019 by de la Torre Pedro Jose (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 18, 2020 by Saavedra Vital Jacinto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2022 by Oliver Short (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2019 by Francisco Cortés (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 11, 2021 by Jörg D (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2021 by Antonio Ramírez Martín (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2013 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 9, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

© 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/5354707)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:489986-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cytisus striatus (Hill) Rothm.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Shrub

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.5

Ph minimum: 5.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 4