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Cytisus decumbens - (Durande) Spach

Common Name Prostrate Broom
Family Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 5-8
Known Hazards Can cause paralysis or death in extreme cases [1-2].
Habitats Central France to Albania and southern Italy, on open hillsides.
Range Native to Europe.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (4 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Cytisus decumbens Prostrate Broom


Cytisus decumbens Prostrate Broom

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Cytisus decumbens is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Genista pedunculata subsp. decumbens (Durande) Gams. Genista prostrata Lam. Spartium decumbens Durande.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

None Known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

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Other Uses

Soil stabilization

Nitrogen fixer. Groundcover. A reasonable groundcover shrub with a medium density. Invertebrates shelter: beneficial for insects and other arthropods. Nectary: provides nectar or pollen for beneficial insects [1-2]. Container gardening. Erosion control.

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Food Forest  Ground Cover  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A flowering deciduous shrub with branching stems that are wiry and hairy leaves. Sun: Full Sun, Partial Shade. Soil Type: Sandy, Loamy. Soil Moisture: Dry, Moderate. Soil pH: 5.0 - 8.0. Drought: Tolerant. Root Type: Fibrous ShallowGrowth Rate: Moderate. Life Span: Short. Form: Prostrate. Texture: Medium. Fungal Types: Endomycorrhizal. Seasonal Interest: Spring-Summer. Notes: This plant needs good drainage but is tolerant of nutrient-poor soils. Fruit Type: Pod. Flower Color: Yellow. USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 8. Flood: Sensitive.Salt: Intolerant. Soil Compaction: Intolerant. Cold Injury: Infrequent. Wind Storm Damage: Infrequent. Disease Issues: Minor. Insect/Pest Damage: Minor. Animal Damage: Deer. Bloom Time: Late Spring - Early Summer [318-1]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. A clumping mat former. Forming a dense prostrate carpet with a limited spread [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Broom, Local Common Names: Norway: Krypgyvel. Sweden: Krypginst.

Native Range

EUROPE: Switzerland, Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Italy, Spain (Soria Prov.), France,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Invasive Species, Host Plant (cabi.org)

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Chamaecytisus proliferusTagasaste. Tree lucerne.Shrub4.0 8-12 FLMNDM004
Cytisus scopariusBroom, Scotch broom, Common BroomShrub2.4 5-8 FLMHSNDM134

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

(Durande) Spach

Botanical References

Links / References

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