Genista aetnensis

Genista aetnensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Genista
Species: G. aetnensis
Binomial name
Genista aetnensis
(Raf. ex Biv.) DC.

Genista aetnensis or Mount Etna broom[1] is a large shrub or small tree endemic to Sicily and Sardinia where it is associated with sunny, open landscapes and poor, stony soil. It is a very common constituent of the garigue plant communities, Mediterranean shrubby vegetation, around the lower slopes of Mount Etna.

The young plant is typical of brooms, clothed in narrow linear leaves which soon drop off leaving almost bare branches. As it ages the shrub develops into a shapely small tree with a greenish bark, growing to 8 metres (26 ft) if given room to develop. The terminal branches have a tendency to droop and weep. Abundant pea-like, yellow, jasmine-scented flowers cover the whole crown in late summer.[2]

It is sometimes grown in gardens and landscaping, both for flower and for its attractive shape when mature. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[3]

Flowering shoots of Mount Etna Broom

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Genista aetnensis.

References

  1. ↑ "BSBI List 2007". Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  2. ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  3. ↑ "Genista aetnensis". Retrieved November 29, 2012.
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