What is the Spanish broom?

Spanish broom, also known as weaving broom, is a permanent plant original for the Mediterranean area and some parts of Africa and Asia. It bears the scientific name Spartium junceum , synonym with genistia juncea . After introducing as an ornamental race in San Francisco of the United States in 1858, it became widely distributed in the surrounding areas. This deciduous plant usually grows from 6 to 10 feet (2 to 3 m) high with thick stems. These stems are bright green, smooth and hairless.

This plant is almost leafless, although the existing leaves are less than 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, a shaped and short -term spear. The flowers of the Spanish broom plants are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, peas and bright yellow. They start blooming in July and grow in clusters at the ends of the branches on the stems. This evergreen shrub has a deeply branched root tapering called Taproot, resulting in a difficult uproot.

in The Wild, Spanish broom grows on dry, rocky and limestone soil without needA lot of watering. It is tolerant of urban pollutants, coastal winds that contain salt and temperatures as cold as 14 ° F (-10 ° C). This plant needs full sunlight for optimal growth and although it is usually a intolerant heavy shadow, it can grow in areas where there is a minimum shadow.

The reproduction of the Spanish broom is usually done through its seed. When the pods dry up after maturity, they torn up halfway and the seeds released a short distance from the plant. These seeds usually germinate without taking care of them, but scratching the outer seed cover can support germination. Without any intervention, the seeds are widely dispersed by the movement of water and soil. Animal and human activities, as well as the use of vehicles and machines, can also play a role in their scattering.

In their natural paint, stems and fibers of Spanish broom are used to make paper, ropes and baskets. Flowers are fromworked to create a yellow dye. Flowers can also be extracting essential oil used in perfume. This plant is widely used as an ornamental garden plant and as the cover of the bank in rocky soil.

Spanish broom is a highly invasive plant due to its fruitful production of seeds and aggressive intervention in available soil. As a result, natural vegetation is overcrowded. For example, in the California region of the United States, the Spanish broom is considered a risk of fire. Methods of controlling its growth include soil interference where young plants are planted and manual pulling.