Kingdom Plantae Family Fabaceae Scientific name Genista linifolia Rank Species | Order Fabales Genus Genista Higher classification Genista | |
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Similar Genista, Genista monspessulana, Legumes, Genista canariensis, Genista stenopetala | ||
Genista linifolia is a species of broom known by the common names Mediterranean broom, needle-leaved broom and flax broom. It is native to southwestern Europe, North Africa, and the Canary Islands.
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Description
This is a shrub with hairy green stems and branches which can exceed two meters in height. Its leaves are made up of tough, green, lance-shaped leaflets with woolly undersides. Flowers appear in dense raceme inflorescences toward the ends of the branches. The flowers are bright yellow and pealike. The fruit is a hairy legume pod one to four centimeters long containing several seeds.
Invasive plant species
It can be found on other continents in areas of similar Mediterranean climate, such as California in the United States, and parts of Australia. It has become an invasive species in those regions.
