Common Name: Spanish Broom

General Information

Spartium junceum is a deciduous shrub with long, slender, erect, green stems, growing up to 3.5 metres tall[]. The shrub is sparsely leaved, most photosynthesis being carried out by the green stems[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local medicinal use and as a source of fibre, dyes, essential oils and basketry material. It is often grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Mediterranean regions of Europe, Africa and western Asia. It has become naturalized in many other areas.

Habitat

Dry situations amongst rocks and in bushy places, usually on limestone soils[, ].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	3.50 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the Mediterranean, it has become naturalized from the temperate zone to the tropics. It is usually found at higher elevations of 2,000 metres or more in the tropics, but can also descend almost to sea level. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 15 - 22°c, but can tolerate 5 - 28°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to between -10 and -18°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 600 - 900mm, but tolerates 290 - 1,400mm[].
Succeeds in any well-drained but not too fertile soil in a sunny position[]. Prefers a lime free soil according to one report[] whilst another says that it thrives on alkaline and poor sandy soils[]. Very wind resistant, tolerating maritime exposure[, ]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[] and thrives on hot dry banks[, ]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7, tolerating 4.5 - 8.2[].
The plant has escaped from cultivation and become a weed in many areas from the temperate zone to the tropics. It has been declared a noxious weed in some areas. It spreads by means of its seeds[].
Plants can flower all year round in the tropics[].
The flowers have a fragrance that has been likened to oranges[].
Plants can become leggy if grown in a sheltered position or too rich a soil[], but they can be pruned almost to the ground and will resprout from the base[]. They can also be trimmed in early spring in order to keep them more compact[].
Plants are intolerant of root disturbance, they are best grown in pots and planted out into their permanent positions whilst still small[].
Rabbits love eating this plant when it is young[, ].
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[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The young herbaceous tips of flowering shoots are harvested in spring, generally in May[]. They can be used fresh or dried and are cardiotonic, cathartic, diuretic, emetic and purgative[, , ]. The seeds can also be used[]. The plant is an efficacious and potent diuretic[]. 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[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can provide good erosion control on dry slopes and hilly areas[].
The plant can be grown as a hedge and low windbreak[].

Other Uses

A fibre from the stems is a hemp substitute[]. It is used to make thread, cordage and coarse fabrics[, , , , , , ]. It is also used for stuffing pillows etc and for making paper[]. The fibre does not rot or lose strength in humid weather[].

The smaller stems are used in basket making[, , , , ]. The branches are often made into brooms[].
Plant stems can be rubberized and used for conveyer belts[].

A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[, , , ].

An essential oil is obtained from the flowers, it is used in perfumery[, ]. 1200kg of flowers yields 300 - 350gr absolute[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing. Treated seed usually germinates well and quickly[, ]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle.

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