English Broom

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• commom-broom
• Scot's broom
• Scotch broom
• Scottish broom
• Broom
• English broom
• European broom
• Irish broom
• broomtops
• common broom
• Green Broom
• Scots broom

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sarothamnus scoparius
• Genista scoparia
• Spartium scoparium
• Corema scoparium
• Cytisogenista scoparia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is a member of the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae, falling under the genus Cytisus. Within this classification, the species is identified as Cytisus scoparius.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Cytisus scoparius, exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern regions of Europe. It can be found growing naturally throughout several countries in Northern Europe, including Denmark and Great Britain. Its presence extends further west to the island of Ireland, where it occupies certain habitats. Additionally, the species is distributed across the Scandinavian Peninsula, specifically within the borders of Norway and Sweden. Together, these locations define the primary northern European range for this medicinal species.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cytisus scoparius is characterized by its ability to thrive across a vast altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 2100 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range centered around 1402 m AMSL. This species is commonly found within forest habitats, where it plays a role in the local vegetation structure. Furthermore, its survival and nutrient acquisition are supported by a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhiza, as it maintains a positive mycorrhizal association to facilitate growth in its natural environment.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1402 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Mycorrhiza :

yes

Genetics

The genetics of Cytisus scoparius are characterized by a complex chromosomal architecture that indicates a history of polyploidization and genomic diversification. The species exhibits significant variation in its karyotype, with documented chromosome numbers including 24, 46, and 48. This numerical variability suggests that the plant exists in different ploidy levels, which often contributes to its ability to adapt to diverse ecological niches and varying environmental stressors. Such chromosomal fluctuations are central to the evolutionary plasticity of the species, influencing both its reproductive strategies and its morphological stability across different populations.

Chromosome number :

24, 46, 48

Life history

The life history of Cytisus scoparius is characterized by its existence as a perennial plant with a typical lifespan of approximately 15 years. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located on aerial shoots well above the ground, a trait that defines its structural life form. The species exhibits variable deciduousness, meaning its foliage patterns can shift depending on environmental conditions and seasonal changes. Throughout its developmental stages, it maintains a robust presence in its habitat, following a perennial lifecycle that allows it to persist across multiple growing seasons.

Deciduousness :

variable

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Lifespan :

15

Morphology

The morphology of Cytisus scoparius is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, functioning as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber, vine, or liana. It is a terrestrial species that grows independently, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic habits. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variability in height, with specimens ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 4 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 1.72 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Plant height mean:

1.71666666666667 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cytisus scoparius is characterized by several specialized metabolic and morphological adaptations, most notably its ability to function as a nitrogen fixer, which allows it to thrive in nutrient-poor soils through symbiotic associations. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies on its C3 photosynthetic pathway to convert light energy into chemical energy. The leaf morphology is highly specialized, featuring elliptic forms with a mean leaf size of 0.196 cm². These leaves exhibit significant variability in dimensions, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.4 cm to a maximum of 2 cm, and widths spanning from 0.1 cm to 0.8 cm. Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 145.33 cm²/g, reflecting its specific strategy for balancing light interception and resource conservation.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

2 cm

Leaf length min:

0.4 cm

Leaf size mean:

0.196 cm²

Leaf width max:

0.8 cm

Leaf width min:

0.1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

145.33 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cytisus scoparius is primarily a sexual process facilitated by bisexual flowers that exhibit a yellow coloration. The flowering period typically begins in May and concludes in June, utilizing a biotic pollination syndrome specifically driven by insects, with bees playing a key role in the process; notably, self-fertilization is absent in this species. Following successful pollination, the plant develops dry, pod-type fruits that are dehiscient in nature. These pods vary in size, with a mean length of 3.8 cm (ranging from 2 to 5 cm) and a width ranging from 0.7 to 1.2 cm. The fruit produces a high volume of seeds, often exceeding 1000 seeds per fruit. The individual seeds are characterized by a mean length of 3 mm (ranging from 3 to 7 mm) and a mean width of 2 mm (up to 4 mm), with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.00796 g (ranging from 0.0028 to 0.0128 g) and a consistent mean volume of 8.8 mm³. Seed dispersal is achieved through an autochorous (autochorous) syndrome, where the seeds are released by the fruit itself. Asexual reproduction is absent in this species.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flower length max:

2.5 cm

Flower length min:

2 cm

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

5 cm

Fruit length mean:

3.8 cm

Fruit length min:

2 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

1.2 cm

Fruit width min:

0.7 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length max:

7 mm

Seed length mean:

3 mm

Seed mass max:

0.0128 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00796135416666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.0028 g

Seed volume max:

8.8 mm³

Seed width max:

4 mm

Seed width min:

2 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cytisus scoparius has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Journal of biochemistry

Chemicals

Cytisus scoparius has 34 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, BETA-SITOSTEROL, CYTISINE, Chlorophylls, Esculetin.

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

CYTISINE

1. Dr. Duke

Chlorophylls

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Esculetin

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Flavoxanthin

1. Dr. Duke

Furfurol

1. Dr. Duke

Genisteine

1. Dr. Duke

Hyperoside

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Cytisus scoparius has 345 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor, ATPase-Inhibitor.

11B-HSD-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ATPase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Adrenergic

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke