Spartium junceum is the sole species in the genus of Spartium, it belongs to Fabaceae family. It is closely related to the other brooms in the genera Cytisus and Genista. This species is native to the Mediterranean in southern Europe, southwest Asia and northwest Africa. Genus name comes from the Greek word spartion for a kind of grass used in weaving and cordage. The Latin specific epithet junceum means “rush-like”, referring to the shoots, which show a passing resemblance to those of the rush genus Juncus. Genista juncea is the synonym name of the plant.[edit]

Spanish broom is a multi-stemmed, sparsely leaved, deciduous shrub growing to 4 m tall, with main stems up to 10 cm diameter. It has thick, succulent grey-green, rush-like shoots with small, thin, deciduous leaves 1-3 cm long. Plant makes much of the photosynthesis with green shoots. The leaves fall away in a few months’ time. Young stems are rush-like, bright green and basically leafless. Older stems will develop a woody bark. Stems branch at the top, with flowers appearing in showy racemes. In spring and summer shoots are covered in profuse, fragrant, yellow pea like flowers 1-2 cm across. At the end of summer, 8–10 cm long seed pods become mature and turn brown-black.

Spartium junceum has been widely introduced into other continents, and is regarded as a noxious invasive species in places with a Mediterranean climate (California, Chile, Australia, South Africa and the Canary Islands). Invasiveness is due to self-seeding.

 

Spanish broom winter hardy to -12 ˚C, likes dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. It tolerates poor rocky soils and drought. The xerophytic adaptation of the leaves is seen in their short life, they live only few months. The plant is quite hardy to insect and diseases.

USE IN LANDSCAPE: Spartium junceum is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and in landscape plantings. It is primarily grown for its bright yellow flowers and cylindrical green stems. Where winter hardy, it makes an interesting addition to garden areas with stems. It also can provide good erosion control on slopes or hilly areas.

Spanish broom fibres from the stems are a hemp substitute has been used for cloth and it produces a yellow dye. It is also used for making paper. The stems are used in basket making. The branches are often made into brooms. An essential oil is obtained from the flowers; it is used in perfumery industries.

Medicinal use of Spartium junceum:  The young herbaceous tips of flowering shoots are harvested in spring, generally in May. They can be used fresh or dried as cardiotonic, cathartic, diuretic, emetic and purgative. The seeds can also be used.