Cytisus scoparius - Broom

Phylum: Magnoliophyta - Class: Magnoliopsida - Order: Fabales - Family: Fabaceae

This tall member of the pea family blooms at its best from April to June, although there are some Cytisus species that continue flowering until August and cultivated hybrids that bloom in late winter. From a distance Broom and Gorse are sometimes confused, but at close quarters the difference is painfully obvious: Gorse is prickly whereas Broom does not have thorns.

Broom usually does best where there is plenty of lime in the soil. It does, however, occur throughout most of Britain except in the most acid upland areas.