Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Cytisus linifolius (L.) Lam.

Fully-hardy, evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub with erect branches, linear leaves, to 15mm long, and congested terminal racemes of golden yellow, pea-like flowers, to 8mm long.  To 3m.  [RHSD, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘The Genista linifolia is a native of Spain, and was introduced to the royal garden at Kew, by Sir Francis Drake, in the year 1786. Ait. Kew.  The bright yellow flowers, which are abundantly produced on this plant during May and June, joined to the silky appearance of its foliage, has rendered it worthy the notice of most lovers of plants, in whose collections it is now generally found.  It is most successfully propagated by seeds, which usually ripen in this country; it may also be raised from cuttings, but not readily, agreeing in this respect with leguminous plants in general.’  [BM t.442/1799].  Introduced to Britain in 1739.  [JD].  Don.

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.928/1857].  Naturalised near Mossvale in the Southern Highlands of NSW.  [Beadle].

Notes

Published Dec 25, 2009 - 03:55 PM | Last updated Jul 21, 2010 - 11:53 AM

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Figured are linear leaves and terminal racemes of golden yellow, pea-like flowers. Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.442, 1799.

Cytisus linifolius (L.) Lam. | BM t.442/1799 | BHL

Family Fabaceae
Category
Region of origin

Mediterranean
Synonyms
  • Genista linifolia L.
  • Teline linifolia (L.) Webb & Berthel.
  • Spartium linifolium Desf. 
Common Name

Spanish broom
Name in the Camden Park Record

Spartium linifolium 
Confidence level high