Genista aetnensis
Species of flowering plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Genista aetnensis, the Mount Etna broom,[3] is a species of flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae. It is a large shrub or small tree endemic to Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily[2] where it is associated with sunny, open landscapes and poor, stony soil. It is a very common constituent of the garigue plant communities, Mediterranean shrubby vegetation, around the lower slopes of Mount Etna, hence its Latin specific epithet aetnensis.[4]
| Genista aetnensis | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Genista |
| Species: | G. aetnensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Genista aetnensis | |
| Subspecies[2] | |
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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The young plant is typical of brooms, clothed in narrow linear leaves which soon drop off leaving almost bare branches. As it ages the shrub develops into a shapely small tree with a greenish bark, growing to 8 metres (26 ft) if given room to develop. The terminal branches have a tendency to droop and weep. Abundant pea-like, yellow, jasmine-scented flowers cover the whole crown in late summer.[5]
Two subspecies are accepted:[2]
- Genista etnensis subsp. etnensis – Sicily
- Genista etnensis subsp. sarda (C.Presl) Fridl. – Corsica and Sardinia
It is sometimes grown in gardens and landscaping, both for flower and for its attractive shape when mature. It is hardy down to −15 °C (5 °F). In cultivation in the UK it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[6][7]
