Canary Broom

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Canary Broom
• Canary Islands Broom
• Florist’s Genista
• Canary Island broom
• Cape Broom

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Telinaria canariensis
• Teline ramosissima
• Teline hillebrandii
• Teline canariensis var. ramosissima
• Teline canariensis
• Avornela canariensis
• Cytisus canariensis
• Cytisus hillebrandtii
• Cytisus rhodopnoa
• Genista ramosissima var. discolor
• Cytisus canariensis var. ramosissimus
• Genista paniculata
• Genista rhodopnoa
• Genista discolor
• Cytisus paniculatus
• Cytisus philippii
• Telinaria ramosissima
• Teline canariensis var. lanuginosa
• Spartium terminale
• Spartium albicans
• Genista candicans var. subspicata
• Genista hillebrandii
• Genista philippii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae, which is characteristic of the legume group. Within this hierarchy, it is specifically identified under the genus Genista.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a highly diverse and fragmented geographical distribution across several distant regions of the world. Within the Macaronesia archipelago, it can be found growing in the Canary Islands. Its presence extends significantly into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically spanning across India and Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the species has established itself in the Northwestern United States. In this particular American region, it is documented to inhabit both Oregon and Washington.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Genista canariensis is characterized by its adaptation to specific altitudinal gradients within its native habitats, primarily occupying mountainous terrains. This species thrives within a defined elevational range, typically found at altitudes starting from a minimum of 500 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 1500 m AMSL. This distribution suggests an affinity for mid-to-high altitude ecosystems where it can navigate varying climatic conditions and soil compositions typical of these elevations. Its presence across this vertical span indicates a level of ecological plasticity that allows it to persist in diverse microclimates, ranging from lower montane zones to higher, potentially more temperate or mist-influenced environments.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Genista canariensis is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its ecosystem over multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived woody shrub, it follows a developmental trajectory that moves from initial seedling establishment through several years of vegetative growth before reaching reproductive maturity. Throughout its life cycle, the plant focuses on building a robust structural framework to support its flowering phases, which occur periodically rather than in a single seasonal burst. This perennial nature enables the plant to withstand environmental fluctuations and maintain a continuous presence in its native habitat, ensuring long-term survival and the ability to contribute to the local seed bank through repeated reproductive cycles.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Genista canariensis is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, functioning as a self-supporting plant that does not require climbing structures. This species is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, rather than aquatic or semiaquatic, and maintains an independent existence as a non-parasitic organism. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 3 meters, exhibiting a robust, shrubby structure throughout its development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Genista canarienis is characterized by a specific photosynthetic strategy and distinct foliar morphology. This plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic process for carbon fixation in many temperate and subtropical species. Its leaves exhibit an elliptic form, providing a structured surface area for light interception. The dimensions of these leaves are relatively small, with individual leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.3 cm to a maximum of 1 cm.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

1 cm

Leaf length min:

0.3 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Genista canarienis is characterized by a flowering period that typically begins in January and concludes in July, though the timing can be variable. During this reproductive phase, the plant produces yellow flowers arranged in a raceme inflorescence. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a pod, which reaches a maximum length of 3 cm and a maximum width of 0.5 cm. These pods are black in color and are dehiscence-type, meaning they split open to release the seeds. Each fruit typically contains a seed count ranging from 1 to 10 seeds, with each individual seed maintaining a consistent mass of approximately 0.0053 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Flower colour :

yellow

Flowering time :

Jan

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit colour :

black

Fruit length max:

3 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

0.5 cm

Inflorescence :

raceme

Seed mass mean:

0.0053 g

Seeds_per_fruit :

1-10

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Genista canariensis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include TNF alpha.

TNF alpha

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology