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.
Genus
Other taxa in genus
- Genista aetnensis
- Genista anglica
- Genista cinerea
- Genista delphinensis
- Genista ephedroides
- Genista falcata
- Genista florida
- Genista hispanica
- Genista horrida
- Genista januensis
- Genista lobelii
- Genista lydia
- Genista monosperma
- Genista nyssana
- Genista pilosa
- Genista 'Porlock'
- Genista radiata
- Genista sagittalis
- Genista scorpius
- Genista sericea
- Genista sphaerocarpa
- 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.