456 CYTISUS 



The affinities of the genus are with Laburnum, Ulex, and Genista. 

 Laburnum is distinguished by the thickened or winged sutures (seams) 

 of the pod ; Ulex by the coloured calyx ; but the distinctions between 

 Genista and Cytisus are not so easily found. The most serviceable one 

 is furnished by the seed. In Cytisus the outer coat of the seed has a 

 wart-like excresence near the hilum, which is technically known as the 

 " strophiole." In Genista this is absent or rudimentary. 



The species of Cytisus are easily cultivated. They like a fairly good, 

 but not rich soil, and abundant sunshine. Whenever possible, they 

 should be raised from seeds, but if these are not available cuttings and 

 grafts can be used. Cuttings should be taken in August when the wood 

 has become firm. Pieces from ij to 3 ins. long may be used, always 

 wjth a slight heel of older wood. They should be dibbled in very sandy 

 soil under cloches, or in a frame, only uncovering to give water. They 

 ought to push roots the following spring, and soon after can be potted in 

 small pots, or, if vigorously rooted, planted out straight away in nursery 

 beds, being careful to water and, if necessary, shade until established. 

 The brooms do not transplant well after they have reached a good size, 

 so it is wise to get them in their permanent places early. 



Among the following species are some which stand out by reason of 

 one character alone : thus the purple flowers distinguish purpureus, the 

 pure white ones albus ; the long racemes of nigricans and the frequently 

 stalkless leaves of sessilifolia render those species unmistakable. C. 

 leucanthus is recognised by its nearly white flowers in terminal heads ; 

 supinus and Heuffeli by the yellow ones similarly arranged. 



C. ALBUS, Link. WHITE SPANISH BROOM. 



(Genista multiflora, Spach?) 



A tall broom, sometimes 10 or more ft. high ; branchlets very slender, 

 round, slightly ribbed, downy when young ; but little branched, and produced 

 abundantly 'in besom-like masses. Leaves trifoliolate on the lower part of 

 the shoot, simple towards the top ; leaflets linear, silky, up to \ in. long, 

 or so small as to be scarcely noticeable. Flowers white, produced in May 

 at the joints all along the previous summer's wood, singly, or two or three 

 together ; each flower \ in. long on a stalk of equal length. Pods i in. long, 

 hairy, with thickened seams, four- to six-seeded. 



Native of Spain and Portugal. This beautiful broom, the only really white 

 one that is genuinely hardy, is one of the most useful of hardy shrubs. Easily 

 raised from seed, and reaching its full beauty in three or four years, it is 

 admirably adapted for planting in small groups in shrubberies in association 

 with the sturdier evergreens. It does not rob other plants, although it soon 

 out-tops most of them. 



C. ARDOINI, Fourmer. 



A low, decumbent, deciduous shrub, 4 or 5 ins. high, with round, shallowly 

 grooved, hairy branches. Leaves trifoliolate, with a main-stalk J in. long ; 

 leaflets obovate or oblong, \ in. long, almost shaggy when young on both 

 sides. Flowers golden yellow, produced in April and May, one to three 

 (occasionally up to six) at each joint, on short hairy stalks, on the terminal 

 part of the previous year's shoots. Each flower is about \ in. long, with 



