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Cytisus scoparius - (L.)Link.
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| Common Name
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Broom
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| Family
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Leguminosae
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| Synonyms
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Sarothamnus scoparius. Spartium scoparium.
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| Known Hazards
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Poisonous[10, 19, 65]. The plant is of extremely low or zero toxicity[76].
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| Habitats
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Sandy pastures and heaths, occasionally in open woodland, and often near the coast[4, 17]. Strongly calcifuge[17].
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| Range
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Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south to Spain, east to Poland and Hungary.
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Edibility Rating 
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| Medicinal Rating
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| | Care
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| Physical Characteristics
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A decidious Shrub growing to 2.4 m (7ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate.
It is hardy to zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from Aug to November. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.The plant is not self-fertile.
It can fix Nitrogen.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil.The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.
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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Koeh-200.jpg |
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| http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Llez |
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| Habitats
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Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Ground Cover;
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| Edible Uses
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Edible Parts: Flowers.
The flower buds are pickled and used as a substitute for capers[4, 46, 183, 244]. They can also be added to salads[183]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
The tender green tops of the plant have been used like hops to give a bitter flavour to beer and to render it more intoxicating[4, 183].
The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[2, 4, 115, 183].
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| Medicinal Uses
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Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Cardiotonic; Cathartic; Diuretic; Emetic; Vasoconstrictor.
Broom is a bitter narcotic herb that depresses the respiration and regulates heart action[238]. It acts upon the electrical conductivity of the heart, slowing and regulating the transmission of the impulses[254].
The young herbaceous tips of flowering shoots are cardiotonic, cathartic, diuretic, emetic and vasoconstrictor[4, 13, 21, 46, 165]. The seeds can also be used[4]. The plant is used internally in the treatment of heart complaints, and is especially used in conjunction with Convallaria majalis[238]. The plant is also strongly diuretic, stimulating urine production and thus countering fluid retention[254]. Since broom causes the muscles of the uterus to contract, it has been used to prevent blood loss after childbirth[254]. Use this herb with caution since large doses are likely to upset the stomach[4, 21]. The composition of active ingredients in the plant is very changeable, this makes it rather unreliable medicinally and it is therefore rarely used[9]. This herb should not be prescribed to pregnant women or patients with high blood pressure[238]. Any treatment with this plant should only be carried out under expert supervision[9]. See also the notes above on toxicity.
The young herbaceous tips of flowering shoots are harvested in spring, generally in May[4]. They can be used fresh or dried[4, 238]. They should not be stored for more than 12 months since the medicinally active ingredients break down[238].
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| Other Uses
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Basketry; Broom; Dye; Essential; Fibre; Ground cover; Paper; Repellent; Soil stabilization; Tannin; Wood.
An excellent fibre is obtained from the bark, it is used in the manufacture of paper, cloth and nets[4, 100, 115]. It is not as strong as the fibre from the Spanish broom (Spartium junceum)[4]. The fibre is obtained from the root according to other reports[13, 46]. The bark fibre is used to make paper, it is 2 - 9mm long[189]. The branches are harvested in late summer or autumn, the leaves removed and the stems steamed until the fibres can be stripped. The fibres are cooked for 3 hours in lye then put in a ball mill for 3 hours. The paper is pale tan in colour[189].
The bark is a good source of tannin[4].
A yellow and a brown dye are obtained from the bark[46].
A yellow dye is obtained from the flowering stem[169].
A green dye is obtained from the leaves and young tops[4].
The branches are used to make baskets, brushes, brooms and besoms[4, 6, 13, 46, 55, 115]. They are also sometimes used for thatching roofs and as substitutes for reeds in making fences or screens[4].
An essential oil from the flowers is used in perfumery[57].
Growing well on dry banks and on steep slopes, it is an effective sand binder and soil stabiliser[4, 11, 46]. Broom is one of the first plant to colonize sand dunes by the coast[4].
The plant attracts insects away from nearby plants[14].
The var. prostratus (= C. scoparius maritimus?[208]) makes a good fast growing ground cover plant to 30cm tall, though it needs weeding in its first year[197]. The cultivar 'Andreanus Prostratus' can also be used[208].
Wood - very hard, beautifully veined[4]. The plant seldom reaches sufficient size for its wood to be of much value, but larger specimens are valued by cabinet makers and for veneer[4].
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| Cultivation details
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Succeeds in most soils, preferring a fairly good but not rich soil[11]. Prefers a poor well-drained soil[14]. Succeeds in slightly acid, neutral and limy soils but dislikes shallow soils over chalk[200]. Plants are strongly calcifuge according to other reports and intolerant of a pH much above 6.5[17, 186]. Prefers a sunny position but tolerates some shade[11, 14, 17]. Plants succeed in exposed conditions, and are very tolerant of maritime exposure[4, K]. Plants have a deep root system, they are very drought tolerant once established and grow well on dry banks[4, 11]. Tolerates a smoky atmosphere, growing well in polluted areas[186].
Plants are hardy to about -20°c[184].
A number of named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[182].
New leaves are formed in April but these soon drop off the plant, photosynthesis being carried out by means of the green stems[186].
Very tolerant of cutting, it regenerates quickly from the base[186]. Plants are usually killed by fire but the seeds quickly germinate after the fire and rapidly become established[186].
A good bee plant and food plant for many caterpillars[24, 30, 46], it provides the food for the larvae of the green hairstreak butterfly[186]. Ants are attracted to the seeds, feeding on the juicy attachment that holds them to the pods and thus distributing the seed[186].
Dislikes root disturbance, especially when more than 20cm tall[11]. It is best to plant out into their permanent positions as early as possible.
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200].
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| Propagation
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Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame[80]. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water then cold stratify for 1 month and sow in a cold frame[80]. The seed usually germinates in 4 weeks at 20°c[98, 113]. Seedlings should be potted up as soon as possible since plants quickly become intolerant of root disturbance[186]. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late summer if they have made sufficient growth, otherwise in late spring of the following year[K]. The seed has a long viability[186].
Seed can also be sown in situ as soon as it is ripe in the late summer and autumn[4].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 4 - 7 cm with a heel, August in a frame[11]. Produces roots in the spring[11]. Pot up as soon as possible[11].
Cuttings of mature wood, October/November in a frame.
Layering.
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| Botanical References
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| 1117200
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| Links / References
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[K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
| [2]Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World.
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| Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
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| [4]Grieve. A Modern Herbal.
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| Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
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| [6]Mabey. R. Plants with a Purpose.
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| Details on some of the useful wild plants of Britain. Poor on pictures but otherwise very good.
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| [9]Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants.
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| Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.
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| [11]Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
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| A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
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| [13]Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants.
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| Very interesting reading, giving some details of plant uses and quite a lot of folk-lore.
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| [14]Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs.
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| A good herbal.
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| [17]Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles.
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| A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
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| [21]Lust. J. The Herb Book.
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| Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.
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| [24]Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.
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| Fairly good with lots of ideas about creating wildlife areas in the garden.
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| [30]Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe.
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| An excellent book on Lepidoptera, it also lists their favourite food plants.
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| [46]Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants.
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| An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
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| [55]Harris. B. C. Eat the Weeds.
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| Interesting reading.
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| [57]Schery. R. W. Plants for Man.
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| Fairly readable but not very comprehensive. Deals with plants from around the world.
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| [80]McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed.
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| Does not deal with many species but it is very comprehensive on those that it does cover. Not for casual reading.
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| [98]Gordon. A. G. and Rowe. D. C. f. Seed Manual for Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.
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| Very comprehensive guide to growing trees and shrubs from seed. Not for the casual reader.
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| [100]Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide.
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| An excellent and well illustrated pocket guide for those with very large pockets. Also gives some details on plant uses.
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| [113]Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation.
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| A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.
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| [115]Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.
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| Written about a hundred years ago, but still a very good guide to the useful plants of Britain.
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| [165]Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
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| An excellent small herbal.
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| [169]Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.
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| Covers all aspects of growing your own clothes, from fibre plants to dyes.
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| [182]Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos.
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| Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.
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| [183]Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.
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| Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
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| [184]Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs.
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| Excellent photographs and a terse description of 1900 species and cultivars.
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| [186]Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs.
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| An excellent guide to native British trees and shrubs with lots of details about the plants.
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| [189]Bell. L. A. Plant Fibres for Papermaking.
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| A good practical section on how to make paper on a small scale plus details of about 75 species (quite a few of them tropical) that can be used.
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| [197]Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants.
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| A handy little booklet from the R.H.S.
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| [200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
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| Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
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| [208]Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover
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| An excellent detailled book on the subject, very comprehensive.
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| [238]Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
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| A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
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| [244]Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs
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| Deals with all types of herbs including medicinal, culinary, scented and dye plants. Excellent photographs with quite good information on each plant.
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| [254]Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
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| An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
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| Subject : Cytisus scoparius |
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