Common Name: Broom

General Information

Cytisus scoparius is a deciduous shrub with several erect to ascending stems; it usually grows up to 2.4 metres tall, but can reach 4 metres[, ].
The plant has a wide range of potential uses, including for food, medicine and to supply a wide range of materials, though it is probably best known for its flexible, fibrous stems which are used in basket making and to make brooms. The plant has sometimes been cultivated as a nursery plant for establishing woodlands, and has been harvested after a few years for the fibre obtained from its stems[]. The plant is also used in phytoremediation projects and for soil conservation, especially on sand dunes; it is often grown as an ornamental, where different forms can be used as ground cover or to make hedges.
Cytisus scoparius has been introduced by humans outside of its native range for a wide range of reasons - primarily as an ornamental, but also for food, to improve soil fertility, stabilize soils along roads and as a ballast in ships' holds. It has become a naturalized weed through most of the temperate zone and is often considered to be an invasive pest that prevents natural regeneration of native species. Where it is invasive, the plant typically forms dense, continuous understorey thickets, which are less frequently seen in its native range, particularly in all types of open woodland. It is a significant weed of forestry, particularly in pine and eucalypt plantations around the world. It either smothers planted saplings or reduces their growth. In some areas, broom can be beneficial in these situations as a nurse crop for protecting saplings from frost damage and other types of exposure [].

Known Hazards

Poisonous[, , ]. The plant is of extremely low or zero toxicity[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Europe - southern Seden to southern Spain, east to southwestern Russia and Greece

Habitat

Sandy pastures and heaths, occasionally in open woodland, growing in a wide range of disturbed and undisturbed habitats, often along river systems and often near the coast[, , ]. The plant is strongly calcifuge[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.40 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Cytisus scoparius is a moderately hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to between -20 to -40°c when fully dormant[, ]. It can tolerate a mean annual rainfall of between 300 - 3,000mm[].
Prefers a sunny position but tolerates some shade[, , ]. Succeeds in most soils, preferring a fairly good but not rich soil[]. Prefers a poor well-drained soil[]. Succeeds in slightly acid, neutral and limy soils but dislikes shallow soils over chalk[]. Plants are strongly calcifuge according to other reports and intolerant of a pH much above 6.5[, ]. Plants succeed in exposed conditions, and are very tolerant of maritime exposure[, ]. Plants have a deep root system, they are very drought tolerant once established and grow well on dry banks[, ]. Tolerates a smoky atmosphere, growing well in polluted areas[].
A fast-growing plant, usually floweing when around 3 years old and usually dying between the ages of 6 - 15 years, though they can sometimes live for 25 - 30 years[, ].
A number of named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[].
New leaves are formed in early spring, but these soon drop off the plant, most photosynthesis being carried out by means of the green stems[].
Very tolerant of even severe cutting back, the plant regenerates quickly from the base[]. Plants are usually killed by fire but soil-borne seeds quickly germinate after the fire and rapidly become established[].
A good bee plant and food plant for many caterpillars[, , ], it provides the food for the larvae of the green hairstreak butterfly[]. Ants are attracted to the seeds, feeding on the juicy attachment that holds them to the pods and thus distributing the seed[].
Dislikes root disturbance, especially when more than 20cm tall[]. 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[].

Edible Uses

The flower buds are pickled and used as a substitute for capers[, , , ]. They can also be added to salads[]. 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[, ].

The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[, , , ].

Medicinal

Broom is a bitter narcotic herb that depresses the respiration and regulates heart action[]. It acts upon the electrical conductivity of the heart, slowing and regulating the transmission of the impulses[].

The young herbaceous tips of flowering shoots are cardiotonic, cathartic, diuretic, emetic and vasoconstrictor[, , , , ]. The seeds can also be used[]. The plant is used internally in the treatment of heart complaints, and is especially used in conjunction with Convallaria majalis[]. The plant is also strongly diuretic, stimulating urine production and thus countering fluid retention[]. Since broom causes the muscles of the uterus to contract, it has been used to prevent blood loss after childbirth[].
Use this herb with caution since large doses are likely to upset the stomach[, ].
The composition of active ingredients in the plant is very changeable, this makes it rather unreliable medicinally and it is therefore rarely used[].
This herb should not be prescribed to pregnant women or patients with high blood pressure[]. Any treatment with this plant should only be carried out under expert supervision[]. See also the notes above on toxicity.

The young herbaceous tips of flowering shoots are harvested in spring, generally in May[]. They can be used fresh or dried[, ]. They should not be stored for more than 12 months since the medicinally active ingredients break down[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Growing well on dry banks and on steep slopes, the plant is an effective sand binder and soil stabiliser[, , ]. Broom is one of the first plant to colonize sand dunes by the coast[].
The plant is sometimes grown as a hedge[].
The var. prostratus (= C. scoparius maritimus?[]) makes a good fast growing ground cover plant to 30cm tall, though it needs weeding in its first year[]. The cultivar 'Andreanus Prostratus' can also be used[].
The plant attracts insects away from nearby plants[].

Other Uses

An excellent fibre is obtained from the bark, it is used in the manufacture of paper, cloth and nets[, , ]. It is not as strong as the fibre from the Spanish broom (Spartium junceum)[]. The fibre is obtained from the root according to other reports[, ]. The bark fibre is used to make paper, it is 2 - 9mm long[]. 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[].

The bark is a good source of tannin[].

An essential oil from the flowers is used in perfumery[].

A yellow and a brown dye are obtained from the bark[].
A yellow dye is obtained from the flowering stem[].
A green dye is obtained from the leaves and young tops[].

The branches are used to make baskets, brushes, brooms and besoms[, , , , , ]. They are also sometimes used for thatching roofs and as substitutes for reeds in making fences or screens[].

Wood - very hard, beautifully veined[]. 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[].
The wood is tied to make faggots and used as a fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame[]. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water then cold stratify for 1 month and sow in a cold frame[]. The seed usually germinates in 4 weeks at 20°c[, ]. Seedlings should be potted up as soon as possible since plants quickly become intolerant of root disturbance[]. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late summer if they have made sufficient growth, otherwise in late spring of the following year[]. The seed has a long viability[].
Seed can also be sown in situ as soon as it is ripe in the late summer and autumn[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 4 - 7 cm with a heel, August in a frame[]. Produces roots in the spring[]. Pot up as soon as possible[].
Cuttings of mature wood, autumn in a frame.
Layering.