Cytisus is a genus of about 50 species of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae, native to open sites (typically scrub and heathland) in Europe, western Asia and North Africa.
Cytisus belongs to the subfamily Faboideae, and is one of several genera in the tribe Genisteae which are commonly called brooms. They are shrubs producing masses of brightly coloured, pea-like flowers, often highly fragrant. Cytisus bears flowers abundantly and it is very colorful, a real ball of golden fire for the most part of spring. Its growth is relatively fast and it adapts well to most soil and climate types. Cytisus only live for a few years, 5 to 7 at most, which means they must be replaced after this beautiful span of time. Cytisus sprigs are used in the pharmaceutical industry. Sparteine is extracted from it for its properties in regulating the heart.
