Brooms and Genistas 



more gruesomely, "you'll sweep the head of the house 

 away," the rationale of the proverb being difficult to 

 follow. 



The old herbalists made much use of it both for 

 " salletts " and medicine. " Broome floureth in the end 

 of Aprill or May, and then the young buds of the 

 floures are to bee gathered and laid in pickle or salt, 

 which afterwards being washed or boyled, are used for 

 sallads, as Capers be, and be eaten with no lesse 

 delight," said Gerard. He further adds, " That worthy 

 Prince of famous memory Henry 8, King of England, 

 was wont to drinke the distilled water of Broome 

 floures, against surfets and diseases thereof arising." 

 Indeed, the rather bitter decoction from Broom twigs 

 was once in great request as a cure for almost every 

 (disease under the sun, particularly liver troubles. This 

 same bitter principle that runs throughout the shrub is, 

 of course, a method of defence devised by Nature to 

 secure the plant from the onslaughts of browsing 

 animals. 



The Spanish Broom, or Rush Broom Spartium 

 iunceum has particularly large yellow flowers, and is 

 further distinguished by its shoots being practically 

 leafless hence its name, " Rush Broom/' Its generic 

 name, spartium, signifies cordage, that use being often 

 found for the pliant twigs. It is a very vivid, tall- 

 growing shrub, which deeply roots itself and flourishes 



K 149 



