Hairy-fruited Broom

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Portuguese broom
• hairy-fruited broom
• striated broom
• striped broom
• Hairy Fruited Broom
• hairy-fruit broom

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Spartium striatum
• Sarothamnus striatus
• Genista striata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Cytisus, specifically as the species Cytisus striatus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution across various regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be identified within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is found in Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. Additionally, the plant extends into Southwestern Europe, specifically on the island of Corse. Together, these locations define the known geographical range of Cytisus striatus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cytisus striatus is characterized by its distribution across a diverse altitudinal gradient, allowing it to inhabit a wide variety of topographical settings. It is found at elevations ranging from sea level up to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL, demonstrating a broad adaptability to different vertical zones within its habitat. On average, the species thrives at a mean elevation of 605 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-altitude environments that likely provide a balance of specific temperature and moisture regimes suitable for its growth and survival.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

605 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cytisus striatus is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, meaning it survives for multiple years throughout its existence. Structurally, the species functions as a phanerophyte, specifically categorized under the life forms of phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte, which indicates that its perennating buds are located high above the ground on woody stems. This growth habit allows the plant to maintain a stable presence in its ecosystem over successive growing seasons.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cytisus striatus is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, exhibiting a robust and self-supporting structure. As a terrestrial species, it does not inhabit aquatic or semiaquatic environments, nor does it function as an epiphyte. The plant maintains an independent lifestyle, functioning as a non-parasitic organism rather than an obligatory or facultative parasite. Its physical architecture is defined by its woody nature, which supports its development as a self-supporting shrub rather than a climbing liana or vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cytisus striatus is characterized by a metabolic framework utilizing the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common mechanism among temperate woody legumes where carbon fixation occurs primarily through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. This C3 pathway involves the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO to form 3-phosphoglycerate. As a member of the Fabaceae family, its physiological processes are also deeply integrated with symbiotic nitrogen fixation; the plant hosts Rhizobium bacteria within specialized root nodules, facilitating the conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms to support protein synthesis and growth. Furthermore, its physiological adaptations include efficient water management and nutrient cycling typical of Mediterranean-climate shrubs, allowing it to maintain metabolic activity and structural integrity under varying environmental conditions.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cytisus striatus is characterized by specific seed morphological traits and a diverse range of potential dispersal mechanisms. The plant produces seeds with relatively small masses, exhibiting a mean seed mass of approximately 0.0080415 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.006 g to a maximum of 0.011 g. In terms of its dispersal syndrome, the species primarily utilizes autochory (self-dispersal), though its reproductive strategy is categorized within a broad spectrum of potential dispersal modes, including anemochory, zoochory, hydrochory, and unspecialized methods. This multifaceted dispersal profile suggests that while the plant possesses inherent self-dispersal capabilities, it may also interact with various environmental vectors such as wind, water, animals, and even human activity (anthropochory) to facilitate the spread of its progeny.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Seed mass max:

0.011 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0080415 g

Seed mass min:

0.006 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cytisus striatus 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 flower.

Flower

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Cytisus striatus has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, CALCIUM, Chlorophylls, LYCOPENE, MAGNESIUM.

Ash

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

CALCIUM

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Chlorophylls

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

LYCOPENE

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

MAGNESIUM

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

PHOSPHORUS

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

POTASSIUM

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Sugars

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

Tocopherols

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

ascorbic acid

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

Activities

Cytisus striatus has 72 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Abortifacient, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Antiaggregant, Antiangiogenic.

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Antiaggregant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiangiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiatherosclerotic

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer (Breast)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic (Breast)

1. Dr. Duke

Anticlimacteric

1. Dr. Duke

Antiendoccytotic

1. Dr. Duke