Pollinator plant

Broom

Cytisus scoparius

Linked agroforestry plant data
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Common names

50 names · 33 languages
EnglishYour language
+6 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (32)
Dutch
French
  • Genêt à balai[1][2]
  • Genêt à balais
Afrikaans
  • Skotse besem[2]
  • Skotse Brem[2]
Arabic
  • لزان المكنسي[2]
Asturian
Belarusian
  • Жарновец мяцёльчаты, ці Мятліца[2]
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • janovec metlatý[2]
  • čilimník metlatý[2]
Danish
Estonian
  • harilik luudpõõsas[2]
Finnish
  • jänönvihma[2]
Galician
German
Hungarian
  • közönséges seprőzanót[2]
  • seprűzanót[2]
Irish
  • Giolcach shléibhe[2]
Italian
Japanese
  • エニシダ[2]
Korean
  • 양골담초[2]
Lithuanian
  • Šluotinis raipstas[2]
Norwegian
Polish
  • Żarnowiec miotlasty[2]
Portuguese
Russian
  • Жарновец метельчатый[2]
  • Ракитник метельчатый[2]
Slovak
  • prútnatec metlovitý[2]
Slovenian
  • navadna metla[2]
Spanish
Swedish
Turkish
  • Süpürge Otu[2]
Ukrainian
  • Жарновець віниковий (Рокитник віниковий)[2]
Welsh
  • Banadl gorweddol[2]
Sources & name notes (4)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Cytisus scoparius — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • broom — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Brem — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Gemeiner Besenginster — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • common broom — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • English broom — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Green Broom — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Scotch Broom — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Scots broom — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Scottish broom — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • escoba rubia — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Genêt à balai — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Ginestra dei carbonai — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Gewone brem — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Giesta — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
[2] Cytisus scoparius — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • broom — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Brem — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Gemeiner Besenginster — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • common broom — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • English broom — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Green Broom — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Scotch Broom — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Scots broom — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Scottish broom — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • escoba rubia — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Genêt à balai — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Ginestra dei carbonai — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Gewone brem — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Giesta — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • gódua — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • janovec metlatý — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Gyvel — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Piornal — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • gyvel — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Šluotinis raipstas — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • jänönvihma — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Żarnowiec miotlasty — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Жарновец метельчатый — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Ракитник метельчатый — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • xiniesta — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • エニシダ — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • harris — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • harilik luudpõõsas — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • 金雀花 — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • 金雀花 — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Xesta — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Süpürge Otu — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Жарновец мяцёльчаты, ці Мятліца — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Жарновець віниковий (Рокитник віниковий) — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Skotse Brem — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Skotse besem — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • seprűzanót — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • لزان المكنسي — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • közönséges seprőzanót — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Giolcach shléibhe — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • čilimník metlatý — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • 金雀儿 — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • 양골담초 — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Banadl gorweddol — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • prútnatec metlovitý — results[0].names[45]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
  • navadna metla — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 48538; Cytisus scoparius.
[3] Cytisus scoparius — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Common Broom — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Cytisus scoparius.
  • English Broom — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Portuguese Broom — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Scotch Broom — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Scottish Broom — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(5); heading: Common Name(s):; Cytisus scoparius.
  • Striated Broom — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(6); heading: Common Name(s):; Cytisus scoparius.
[4] Royal Horticultural Society — common names ↗

Names retained from the referenced botanical profile or table.

Source records
  • common broom — Page 2, column 2, row top 127 pt; common-name cell after Cytisus scoparius.; Cytisus scoparius.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Cytisus scoparius is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Fabaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
1.22–2.44 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
1.22–2.44 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Arching; Erect; Open

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Life cycle
Perennial

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Rapid

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Deciduous

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Occasionally Dry; Occasionally Wet

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Spring

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Native range
Central and Southern Europe

NC State Extension profile. Origin reported by the source; this is not a claim of local nativeness.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: bees.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Pollinator guidance
RHS includes Cytisus scoparius in its Plants for Pollinators guidance.

RHS planting guidance. Choose accessible flowers with pollen and nectar; reduced-resource and double-flowered forms may be unsuitable.

Sources [3]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

High suitability
Nectar value Unknown
Pollen value High
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Shrub
Size
Small
Dimensions
2.40 m high × 1.00 m wide
Growth rate
Fast
Lifecycle
Perennial
Foliage
Deciduous

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
5-8
Moisture
Well-drained, Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Partial shade, Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Flowers, Coffee, Seasoning
Functions
Basketry, Dye, Essential oil, Fibre, Paper, Repellent, Timber, Pollinator plant, Carbon farming, Nitrogen fixer, Fragrant
Edibility
1 out of 5
Medicinal value
3 out of 5

The flower buds of the plant are pickled and serve as an alternative to capers. They can also be added to salads. However, be aware of the toxicity as explained above. The soft green tips of the plant are used as hops to give beer a bitter taste and make it more intoxicating. The roasted seeds can serve as a coffee substitute.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Cytisus scoparius — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP): Fabaceae. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 39717; ID 33S3C; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 39717; ID 33S3C; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Cytisus scoparius — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitLife cycleGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonNative rangeReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Native range: Country Or Region Of Origin
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Horticultural Society RHS Plants for Pollinators — Wildflowers

    RHS planting guidance; applicable flower-form restrictions are retained. General recommendations do not measure local nectar or pollen production.

    Supports: Pollinator guidance
    Relevant sections
    • Pollinator guidance: Page 2, column 2, entry Cytisus scoparius (top 127 pt)

    Source checked on .