SafePlants

White Spanish Broom (Cytisus multiflorus)

White Spanish Broom, scientifically known as Cytisus multiflorus, is a shrub noted for its graceful appearance. It is also sometimes referred to as Cytisus albus.

Considerations for Pets

• The plant is a shrub.
• It produces a large number of small seeds.
• The stems have small hairs when young, becoming hairless with age.

Considerations for Children

• The plant is a shrub.
• It produces a large number of small seeds.
• The stems have small hairs when young, becoming hairless with age.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Cytisus multiflorus (L'Her. ex Aiton) Sweet
• Common Names: White Spanish Broom, White Broom, Portuguese Broom, Spanish Broom, White Warminster Broom
• Synonyms: Cytisus albus, Chamaecytisus albus

Distribution and Habitat

White Spanish Broom is native to Europe. It is also found in North America as an invasive species. It is found in Spain and Portugal.

Ecological Role

• White Spanish Broom is considered an invasive species in some regions.
• It can hybridize with Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), another invasive weed.

Morphological Characteristics

• It is an erect, deciduous shrub, growing up to 4 meters high.
• The stems are green and striped, rounded in cross-section. Young stems have small hairs.
• Leaves consist of 3 leaflets on lower branches and single leaflet on upper branches.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• New plant peroxidase has been isolated to homogeneity from the white Spanish broom Cytisus multiflorus.

Further Information

• RHS (Royal Horticultural Society): Provides help and information on Cytisus multiflorus.
• Dave's Garden: A community that shares tips and ideas for gardens, along with seeds and plants.
• Discover Life: Provides information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Cytisus multiflorus.