The name of this genus is often spelled Calicotome. We are following IPNI and using Calycotome (http://www.ipni.org/ipni/advPlantNameSearch.do?find_family=&find_genus=Calycotome&find_species=&find_infrafamily=&find_infragenus=&find_infraspecies=&find_authorAbbrev=&find_includePublicationAuthors=on&find_includePublicationAuthors=off&find_includeBasionymAuthors=on&find_includeBasionymAuthors=off&find_publicationTitle=&find_isAPNIRecord=on&find_isAPNIRecord=false&find_isGCIRecord=on&find_isGCIRecord=false&find_isIKRecord=on&find_isIKRecord=false&find_rankToReturn=all&output_format=normal&find_sortByFamily=on&find_sortByFamily=off&query_type=by_query&back_page=plantsearch)

Common Name:

General Information

Calycotome spinosa is a much-branched deciduous shrub growing up to 3 metres tall.
The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it can be used to make a dense, low hedge.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Western Mediterranean - Spain, France, Italy, Algeria

Habitat

Dry stony habitats in evergreen scrub near the coast. It is especially common in areas after woodland clearance[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Calycotome spinosa is native to the western Mediterranean with its hot, dry summers and cool moist winters. It is not hardy outside the milder regions of the temperate zone. It can tolerate short-lived temperatures falling as low as -5 to -10°c if it is given perfect drainage[].
Succeeds in a very well-drained soil in a sunny position[].
Plants dislike root disturbance[], they should be planted out into their permanent positions whilst young.
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[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The thorny plants can be used for low hedging[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest pre-soaking the seed for 12 - 24 hours (by which time it should have swollen up) in warm water and sowing it in a greenhouse in early spring. Pot up the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse, planting out in late spring or early summer in their permanent positions.
Cuttings of half ripe wood, mid summer in a frame. It is probably best to put each cutting in its own pot.