genista

Genista is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, commonly known as broom. The group comprises shrubs and small trees native to Europe, western Asia, and parts of North Africa, with many species widely cultivated or naturalized in temperate regions.

Plants in Genista are typically evergreen or semi-evergreen, with slender branches and small leaves or leaflets. They produce racemes of bright yellow, pea-like flowers in spring or early summer, followed by flat pods that split to release several seeds.

Genista belongs to the subfamily Faboideae and tribe Genisteae, and is closely related to Cytisus and Spartium. Taxonomic revisions have moved some species to Cytisus, so the exact circumscription of Genista varies among authorities.

Dyer's greenweed (Genista tinctoria) is a well-known species; it was used historically as a source of yellow dye and tanning extracts. Other members are valued ornamentally for hedges, screens, and rock gardens.

Habitat includes open woodlands, scrub, dunes, and grasslands on well-drained soils, often in sunny sites. Some species have become naturalized beyond their native regions, and, in certain areas, may be regarded as invasive.