Biology:Genista aetnensis
| Genista aetnensis | |
|---|---|
| |
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] | |
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
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]
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]
See also
- Brooms
- Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub
References
- ↑ Rivers, M.C.; Beech, E. (2017). "Genista aetnensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T79727282A79727286.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/79727282/79727286. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Genista aetnensis (Raf.) DC.". Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:495862-1.
- ↑ (xls) BSBI List 2007, Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, https://bsbi.org/download/3542/, retrieved 2014-10-17
- ↑ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 978-1-84533-731-5.
- ↑ RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1-4053-3296-5.
- ↑ "Genista aetnensis". RHS. https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/7723/Genista-aetnensis/Details.
- ↑ "AGM Plants - Ornamental". Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 42. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf.
Wikidata ☰ Q2258959 entry
 |  |
