sarothamni

Sarothamni is a genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae, commonly known as broom. The genus is native to Europe and North Africa. Sarothamni species are typically shrubs or small trees, characterized by their broom-like appearance, with slender, green, often leafless branches that bear yellow flowers. These plants are well-adapted to poor, dry, and sandy soils, often colonizing disturbed areas and wasteland.

The most well-known species is Sarothamnus scoparius, commonly called common broom or Scotch broom. This species is invasive in many parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and New Zealand, where it can outcompete native vegetation and alter habitat structure. Its dense growth can impede the regeneration of forests and reduce biodiversity.

Historically, the tough, flexible stems of Sarothamni have been used for various purposes, including thatching, besoms (brooms), and baskets. The flowers have been used in traditional medicine, though their medicinal properties are not widely recognized in modern pharmacology. Some species contain alkaloids, and their consumption can be toxic. The genus Sarothamni is closely related to the genus Genista, and some classification systems have included Sarothamnus within Genista. However, current botanical consensus generally maintains them as separate genera.