White spanish broom (Cytisus multiflorus, Hort. Brit.: 112 (1826))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (L’Hér.) Sweet

Bibliography: Hort. Brit.: 112 (1826)

Year: 1826

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cytisus

Vegetable: False

Observations: W. & C. Iberian Pen.

Description

White Spanish Broom, scientifically known as Cytisus multiflorus, is a hardy, floriferous shrub belonging to the Fabaceae family. This plant was formally documented in horticultural literature in 1826, as cited in “Hort. Brit.: 112,” by the botanist Philip Barker Webb and Charles Bolle.

Indigenous to the Iberian Peninsula, including regions of both Spain and Portugal, Cytisus multiflorus thrives in a Mediterranean climate where it enjoys full sun and well-drained soils. The flowering period of White Spanish Broom is particularly stunning and prolific, often transforming landscapes into a sea of delicate white blossoms that emit a light, pleasing fragrance.

The plant exhibits multiple sprawling branches adorned with small, pinnate leaves. During the spring and early summer months, these branches become laden with tiny, white pea-like flowers, each contributing to the magnificent and dense floral displays. The floral structure of the White Spanish Broom is typical of the Fabaceae family, featuring a distinctive banner, wings, and keel, which are hallmark traits of legumes.

In addition to its ornamental appeal, Cytisus multiflorus is also valued for its resilience and adaptability. It is tolerant of poor soil conditions and can thrive in rocky, sandy, and nutrient-deficient environments, making it a popular choice for erosion control and soil stabilization projects.

This vigorous shrub can grow quickly, reaching heights and widths of up to 2 meters, thereby providing ample coverage as a ground cover or hedge. However, its robustness necessitates occasional management, as it has the potential to become invasive in some regions if not properly controlled.

Overall, White Spanish Broom’s combination of aesthetic beauty, environmental resilience, and straightforward cultivation makes it a noteworthy species within horticultural and ecological contexts.

Common Names

Fra: cytise blanc
Deu: vielblütiger geißklee, v. besenginster
Dan: vinter-gyvel
Eng: white broom, white spanishbroom, white spanish broom, spanish broom
Nld: iberische brem
Cym: banadl gwyn, banhadlen wen
Spa: escoba blanca
En: White Spanish broom, White broom, White spanishbroom, Spanish Broom
Da: Vinter-gyvel
Nl: Iberische brem
Fr: Cytise blanc
Gl: Xesta branca
De: Weisser Ginster, Vielblütiger Geißklee, v. Besenginster
Es: Escoba blanca
Cy: Banhadlen wen, Banadl Gwyn

Synonyms

• Cytisus lusitanicus (Font Quer ex Willk.)
• Cytisus incarnatus ((G.Lodd.) K.Koch)
• Spartium album ((Lam.) Desf.)
• Sarothamnus albus ((Lam.) M.Laínz)
• Genista multiflora ((L’Hér.) Dum.Cours.)
• Spartium multiflorum (L’Hér.)
• Lugaion multiflorum ((L’Hér.) Raf.)
• Cytisus linkii (Janka)
• Cytisus albus var. incarnatus ((G.Lodd.) Sweet)
• Sarothamnus multiflorus ((L’Hér.) Samp.)
• Cytisus multiflorus f. incarnatus ((G.Lodd.) Rehder)
• Spartium dispermum (Willd.)
• Spartium multiflorum var. incarnatum (G.Lodd.)
• Genista disperma (Spach)
• Spartotamnus albus ((Lam.) C.Presl)
• Sarothamnus parviflorus (Willk. & Cutanda)
• Retama albiflora (Raf.)
• Genista madagascariensis (Baker)
• Corothamnus multiflorus ((L’Hér.) Ponert)
• Genista alba (Lam.)
• Cytisus albus var. roseus (Stapf)
• Laburnum album ((Lam.) J.Presl)
• Spartocytisus albus ((Lam.) Webb & Berthel.)

Distribution

• Portugal (native)
• Spain (native)
• Belgium (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• France (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Mar 18, 2022 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2020 by luis vicente (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 26, 2022 by Megan Thorns (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2022 by Jean Burgun (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 7, 2021 by Irene (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 24, 2021 by okx nik (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2021 by okx nik (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 9, 2022 by Mel Mun (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2021 by Micaela Sp (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2021 by Alfonso Duran (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 11, 2021 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2021 by Sarami (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 18, 2021 by lu mar (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2020 by luis vicente (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2021 by okx nik (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 22, 2021 by Sarami (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 28, 2021 by Rico García Antonio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2021 by Rico García Antonio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 26, 2022 by Megan Thorns (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2021 by okx nik (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/7681436)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:489845-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cytisus multiflorus (L’Her.) Sweet)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Shrub

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.0

Ph minimum: 4.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 4