Class
Order
Family
Genus
Classification
Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Spartium junceum L.
Synonymy:
- = Genista juncea Scop. (1772)
Vernacular Name(s):
spanish broom
Description
Deciduous shrub up to 3 m high; twigs sparsely to moderately clothed in appressed hairs, becoming ± glabrous, rounded, striate and glaucous-green to dark green. Mature branches with few lvs; lvs glabrous or sparsely to densely hairy, simple, entire, elliptic to oblong or ± linear on mature branches, acute to obtuse, (8)–15–25 mm long, up to 45 mm long in shaded shoots or seedlings; petioles 1–2 mm long. Infl. with usually numerous fragrant fls; pedicels 2–5 mm long; bract subtending pedicel narrowly triangular, 2–4 mm long; bracteole subtending calyx linear, c. 2 mm long. Calyx ± glabrous, unilabiate. Corolla 22–28 mm long. Pod becoming glabrous, oblong and flattened, 50–90 mm long; seeds smooth, dark brown.
[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]
Biostatus
Exotic
Phenology
Flowering: Dec.–May.
Bibliography
Connor, H.E.; Fountain, J. 2009: Plants that Poison: A New Zealand Guide. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln.
Steudel, E.G. 1840: Nomenclator botanicus. Editio secunda. Vol. 1. typis et sumptibus J.G. Cottae, Stuttgartiae, Tubingae.
Stewart, J. 1971: Plants in New Zealand Poisonous to Man. New Zealand Department of Health, Wellington.
