Common Name:

General Information

Genista versicolor is a shrub growing up to 100cm tall[].
The plant is used in soil stabilization projects.
Genista versicolor is a shrub endemic to southern Spain. Even though it is geographically restricted and there are some threats from grazing and development, it is abundant in the areas where found and the population trend seems to be stable. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southwest Europe - southern Spain

Habitat

Found in high mountain thickets; at an elevation of 1,600 - 2,500 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	0.80 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated

Cultivation Details

Genista versicolor is a plant of Mediterranean climates with long, hot, dry summers and cool, moist to wet winters. It is not very cold-hardy, tolerating occasional temperatures falling to around -5°c[].
Grows best in a sunny position[]. An easily grown plant, it does not require a rich or manured soil, growing best in a well-drained, light loam[].
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

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is used in soil stabilization projects[].

Other Uses

None known

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[].