Genista aetnensis

Genista aetnensis or Mount Etna broom[2] is a species of flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae. It is a large shrub or small tree endemic to Sicily and Sardinia where it is associated with sunny, open landscapes and poor, stony soil. It is a very common constituent of the garigue plant communities, Mediterranean shrubby vegetation, around the lower slopes of Mount Etna, hence its Latin specific epithet aetnensis.[3]

Genista aetnensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Genista
Species:
G. aetnensis
Binomial name
Genista aetnensis

The young plant is typical of brooms, clothed in narrow linear leaves which soon drop off leaving almost bare branches. As it ages the shrub develops into a shapely small tree with a greenish bark, growing to 8 metres (26 ft) if given room to develop. The terminal branches have a tendency to droop and weep. Abundant pea-like, yellow, jasmine-scented flowers cover the whole crown in late summer.[4]

It is sometimes grown in gardens and landscaping, both for flower and for its attractive shape when mature. It is hardy down to −15 °C (5 °F). In cultivation in the UK it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[5][6]

See also

References
  1. Rivers, M.C. & Beech, E. (2017). "Genista aetnensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T79727282A79727286. Retrieved 8 February 2021.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. "BSBI List 2007". Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-01-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  3. Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 184533731X.
  4. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  5. "Genista aetnensis". RHS. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  6. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 42. Retrieved 27 February 2018.


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