Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Fabales Bromhead
Family
Leguminosae
Genus
Cytisus Desf.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Cytisus multiflorus (L'Hér.) Sweet (1826)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Spartium multiflorum L'Her.
  • = Cytisus albus Link (1822) nom. illeg.
Vernacular Name(s):
white broom
 Description

Much-branched, deciduous shrub up to 3 m high; twigs glabrous, but sericeous when young, green, rounded and ribbed. Lvs sericeous above and below when young, sessile and usually 1-foliolate on young twigs, but 1–3-foliolate, petiolate and ± glabrous on older twigs; leaflets apetiolulate, narrowly elliptic, acute, (1)–2–12 mm long; terminal leaflet > lateral leaflets. Fls in fascicles of 1–3, axillary; pedicels 3–7 mm long. Calyx moderately hairy, bilabiate, c. 1/4 length of corolla; upper and lower lips ± entire or shallowly toothed. Corolla white, 8–12 mm long. Pod moderately to densely hairy, dark grey, oblong, 1–6-seeded, 15–35 mm long; seeds greyish brown, ellipsoid, compressed, c. 2.5–3 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Phenology

Flowering: Oct.–May.

 Bibliography
Biosecurity New Zealand 2012: Regional Pest Management Strategies Database. http://www.biosecurityperformance.maf.govt.nz/
Tutin, T.G.; Heywood, V.H.; Burges, N.A.; Moore, D.M.; Valentine, D.H.; Walters, S.M.; Webb, D.A. (ed.) 1964–1993: Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press.