Practical
Plants

Spartium junceum

Spanish Broom

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Spartium genus in the family Leguminosae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
3.5 m
Spread
3 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

The young herbaceous tips of flowering shoots are harvested in spring, generally in May[11]. They can be used fresh or dried and are cardiotonic, cathartic, diuretic, emetic and purgative[11][15][17]. The seeds can also be used[11]. The plant is an efficacious and potent diuretic[15]. This plant is 5 - 6 times more active than the medicinally similar Cytisus scoparius and should be used with caution since large doses are likely to upset the stomach and cause purging[11].

Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emetic
Product or use
Purgative

Material uses

A fibre from the stems is a hemp substitute[3]. It is used to make thread, cordage and coarse fabrics[11][15][2][14][17][4][6]. It is also used for stuffing pillows etc and for making paper[13]. The smaller stems are used in basket making[15][13][14][17][4]. The branches are often made into brooms[15]. A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[15][17][3][6]. An essential oil is obtained from the flowers, it is used in perfumery[13][14]. 1200kg of flowers yields 300 - 350gr absolute[13].

Plant part
Stem
Product or use
Basketry
Product or use
Besom
Product or use
Essential
Plant part
Flower
Product or use
Dye, Essential, Oil
Plant part
Branch
Product or use
Thatching

Environment

Range
S. Europe to N. Africa. Naturalized in S. Britain[7].
Habitat
Dry situations amongst rocks and in bushy places, usually on limestone soils[12][3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure, drought
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak 24 hours in hot water and sow February/March in a greenhouse. It usually germinates well and quickly[16][9]. The seed can also be autumn sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[9]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. If sufficient growth is made, it is possible to plant out in the summer, otherwise overwinter them in a cold frame and plant out in late spring of the following year.

Cultivation

Succeeds in any well-drained but not too fertile soil in a sunny position[9]. Prefers a lime free soil according to one report[1] whilst another says that it thrives on alkaline and poor sandy soils[9]. Very wind resistant, tolerating maritime exposure[5][9]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[9] and thrives on hot dry banks[2][5]. A very ornamental plant, it is hardy to between -10 and -18°c when in a suitable position[9]. The flowers have a fragrance that has been likened to oranges[10]. Plants can become leggy if grown in a sheltered position or too rich a soil[9], but they can be pruned almost to the ground and will resprout from the base[K]. They can also be trimmed in early spring in order to keep them more compact[8]. Plants are intolerant of root disturbance, they are best grown in pots and planted out into their permanent positions whilst still small[2]. Plants often self-sow in Britain[1]. Rabbits love eating this plant when it is young[1, K]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[9].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Niebuhr. A. D. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America. 1970-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987.

    ↩1↩2

  5. Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  6. Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.

    ↩1↩2

  7. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  8. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  10. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  11. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  12. Polunin. O. Flowers of Greece and the Balkans. Oxford University Press 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-19-217626-9

    ↩

  13. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  14. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2↩3

  15. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  16. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩

  17. Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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