Biology:Genista aetnensis

From HandWiki
Short description: Species of flowering plant in the pea and bean family Fabaceae

Genista aetnensis
EtnaBroom8142.jpg
Scientific classification edit
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
(Raf. ex Biv.) DC.

Genista aetnensis, the Mount Etna broom,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae. It is a large shrub or small tree endemic to Sicily and Sardinia 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.[3]

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.[4]

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.[5][6]

EtnaBroomFlower8141.jpg

See also

  • Brooms
  • Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub

References

  1. Rivers, M.C.; Beech, E. (2017). "Genista aetnensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T79727282A79727286. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T79727282A79727286.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/79727282/79727286. Retrieved 20 November 2021. 
  2. (xls) BSBI List 2007, Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, https://bsbi.org/download/3542/, retrieved 2014-10-17 
  3. Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for Gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. ISBN 184533731X. 
  4. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. pp. 1136. ISBN 1405332964. 
  5. "Genista aetnensis". RHS. https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/7723/Genista-aetnensis/Details. Retrieved 9 July 2020. 
  6. "AGM Plants - Ornamental". Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 42. https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/pdfs/agm-lists/agm-ornamentals.pdf. Retrieved 27 February 2018. 

Wikidata ☰ Q2258959 entry