Common Name: Madeira Broom

General Information

Genista tenera is a much-branched, deciduous shrub that can grow up to 3.5 metres tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood. It is often grown as an ornamental.
Genista tenera is found over a range of elevations, giving it a widespread range and reducing the likelihood of extinction from a single threat because each elevation has a different threat. The population is believed to be stable at present and it is known to occur in protected areas. The species is, however, threatened by invasive plants, and would benefit from management of these invasives. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Africa - Madeira

Habitat

Exposed rocky slopes and ravines, as well as clearings or margins of the forest; at elevations from sea level to 1,700 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Habit	Shrub
Height	3.00 m

Cultivation Details

Although native to the warm temperate climate of Madeira, where frosts are few and light, Genista tenera is surprisingly hardy, able to tolerate cold spells where temperatures can fall below -8°c so long as it is grown in a sheltered position in a well-drained soil[].
Grows well in a sunny position, but also doing well in the light shade of a thin woodland[]. An easily grown plant, it does not require a rich or manured soil, growing best in a well-drained, light loam[]. It grows well in rough grass that is only cut once a year[].
Plants transplant badly after a few years, and should be given permanent quarters early, or else grown in pots[].
Whenever possible, genistas should be raised from seed, as plants so obtained are usually healthier and longer-lived than cuttings[].
Plants do not usually resprout well if cut back into old wood, older plants can be best kept more compact by lightly cutting back the young growth after flowering. The taller species are all improved by shortening back several times in the young state in order to induce a bushy habit[].
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

The plant is used in the treatment of diabetes[].
The plant has been shown to be of value in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It acts at least partially by inhibiting the activities of key enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and has been shown to be more effective than some standardly prescribed medications. It is also an effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidative agent[].

Other Uses

The wood is used for inlay[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.
Cuttings of almost ripe wood, taken in mid to late summer, placed in very sandy soil in a frame. Roots are usually produced in the spring[].
Cuttings of ripe wood, 5 - 10 cm with a heel, early autumn in a frame. Good percentage. Plant out the following autumn[].