Genista germanica
Credits
Article from Bean's Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles
Recommended citation
'Genista germanica' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.
Other taxa in genus
- Genista anglica
- Genista cinerea
- Genista delphinensis
- Genista ephedroides
- Genista etnensis
- Genista falcata
- Genista florida
- Genista hispanica
- Genista januensis
- Genista lobelii
- Genista lydia
- Genista nissana
- Genista pilosa
- Genista 'Porlock'
- Genista radiata
- Genista sagittalis
- Genista scorpius
- Genista sericea
- Genista sylvestris
- Genista tenera
- Genista tinctoria
- Genista villarsii
A deciduous shrub about 2 ft high, with spiny, hairy shoots; spines mostly branched, 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 in. long. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 in. long, 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 in. wide, hairy especially about the margins, dark green. Racemes 1 to 2 in. long, terminating leafy, spineless shoots. Flowers yellow, 1⁄3 to 1⁄2 in. long; standard petal reflexed. Pods 1⁄2 in. long, hairy. Blossoms in June.
This species is fairly widely distributed, from S.W. France through central Europe to western central Russia and as far south-east as Bulgaria. Its nearest ally is G. anglica (q.v. for the marks of difference). It is apt to grow rank, and become rather ragged in rich garden soil; a sunny, rather dry position suits it best.