Broom (Cytius scoparius) Identification Guide -

Broom /Spring / Summer/ Flowers, Buds and Seeds Edible, other parts Toxic

Broom Shoots Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

broom flowers close up Willow, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Broom is the less aggressive little brother to gorse, the two look similar and both have some nice edible and medicinal parts.

Scientific name

Cytius scoparius/Sarothamnus scoparius

Family

Leguminosae/Fabaceae (Pea)

Habitat

Habitat: Prefers sandy, dry acid soils. Roadsides, heaths, railway embankments, river banks – generally dry, sunny places. Will tolerate very acid soils as long as they are well drained. It is a good indicator of soil type as almost never grows on chalk or limestone.

Distribution:

Grows throughout most of the UK with the exception of a broad band from the Wash to East Devon, where it is absent or uncommon. Also absent in North and North West highlands of Scotland.

Physical Characteristics for Broom

An upright, deciduous shrub that can reach over 2m tall.

Stems & Leaves

It has many straight, hairless, thin, green, five-angled stems that have small, long stalked leaves with 1 – 3 leaflets, but these leaves quickly fall off. Upper leaves are simple and shorter stalked.

Broom Shoots
Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Flowers

Flowers are golden yellow, up to 20mm long on stalks up to 10mm long.

Uses

Only the flower buds, flowers and seeds are edible. The flower buds are picked just before they turn yellow and taste of peas. The buds were once commonly pickled in place of capers:

The tops were mixed with hops for brewing beer. The buds can be used in salads and the flowers as a garnish. Flowers can be used to make wine. The toasted seeds are a coffee substitute

Herbal properties

A bitter, narcotic herb that depresses respiration, regulates heart action and has diuretic and purgative effects. For use by qualified practitioners only.

Known Hazards

Contains alkaloids, notably sparteine which effects respiration and heart function. Should not be given to pregnant women or people with high blood pressure.

Potential lookalikes

Gorse (Ulex spp) is closely related to Broom and the two are often confused with each other.

Gorse has prickly spines.

The Laburnum Tree, Laburnum anagyroides, also has yellow flowers but these hang down in long pendulous racemes. The Laburnum Tree is tree like in form with a trunk and branches with leaves, rather than shrublike.