Cytisus scoparius
Cytisus scoparius
Safety & Hazards
Poisonous[ 10 Title Poisonous Plants and Animals. Publication Author Altmann. H. Publisher Chatto and Windus Year 1980 ISBN 0-7011-2526-8 Description A small book, reasonable but not very detailed. , 19 Title Poisonous Plants. Publication Author Stary. F. Publisher Hamlyn Year 1983 ISBN 0-600-35666-3 Description Not very comprehensive, but easy reading. , 65 Title A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Publication Author Frohne. D. and Pfänder. J. Publisher Wolfe Year 1984 ISBN 0723408394 Description Brilliant. Goes into technical details but in a very readable way. The best work on the subject that I've come across so far. ]. The plant is of extremely low or zero toxicity[ 76 Title Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. Publication Author Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Publisher HMSO Year 1984 ISBN 0112425291 Description Concentrates mainly on the effects of poisonous plants to livestock. ].
Botanical Description
Cytisus scoparius is a deciduous shrub with several erect to ascending stems; it usually grows up to 2.4 metres tall, but can reach 4 metres[ 11 Title Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Publication Author Bean. W. Publisher Murray Year 1981 ISBN - Description A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures. , 1093 Title Invasive Species Compendium Publication Author Website http://www.cabi.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc). ]. The plant has a wide range of potential uses, including for food, medicine and to supply a wide range of materials, though it is probably best known for its flexible, fibrous stems which are used in basket making and to make brooms. The plant has sometimes been cultivated as a nursery plant for establishing woodlands, and has been harvested after a few years for the fibre obtained from its stems[ 1093 Title Invasive Species Compendium Publication Author Website http://www.cabi.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc). ]. The plant is also used in phytoremediation projects and for soil conservation, especially on sand dunes; it is often grown as an ornamental, where different forms can be used as ground cover or to make hedges. Cytisus scoparius has been introduced by humans outside of its native range for a wide range of reasons - primarily as an ornamental, but also for food, to improve soil fertility, stabilize soils along roads and as a ballast in ships' holds. It has become a naturalized weed through most of the temperate zone and is often considered to be an invasive pest that prevents natural regeneration of native species. Where it is invasive, the plant typically forms dense, continuous understorey thickets, which are less frequently seen in its native range, particularly in all types of open woodland. It is a significant weed of forestry, particularly in pine and eucalypt plantations around the world. It either smothers planted saplings or reduces their growth. In some areas, broom can be beneficial in these situations as a nurse crop for protecting saplings from frost damage and other types of exposure [ 1093 Title Invasive Species Compendium Publication Author Website http://www.cabi.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An immense resource - in depth information on over 900 species of invasive plants (it also has information on animals, fungi etc). ].