Canary broom facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Canary broom |
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Genista
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canariensis
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Genista canariensis, also known as Canary broom or florist's genista, is a beautiful flowering plant. It belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. This plant originally comes from the Canary Islands, which are off the coast of Africa.
Today, you can find Canary broom growing in many other places. It has been introduced to mainland Europe, especially Spain, and even to parts of the United States like California and Washington State.
What Does Canary Broom Look Like?
Canary broom is a strong, upright shrub that stays green all year. It can grow quite tall, up to about 3 meters (10 feet) high and 1.5 meters (5 feet) wide. Its stems are green and have tiny hairs on them.
The leaves of this plant are interesting. Each leaf is made up of several small, oval-shaped leaflets. These leaflets are a pretty blue-green color and are usually less than a centimeter long. If you look closely, you'll see they are quite hairy on their undersides.
Flowers and Seeds
When Canary broom blooms, it produces bright yellow, pea-like flowers. These flowers grow in clusters called racemes, with each cluster holding up to 20 flowers. They are very eye-catching!
After the flowers, the plant forms a fruit called a legume pod. This pod is about one to two centimeters long. Inside, it holds several dark brown seeds, ready to grow into new plants.
Where Does It Grow Best?
Canary broom likes mild weather, especially in areas near the coast. It can handle temperatures as low as about -5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit). This makes it a good choice for gardens in places with mild winters.
In the United Kingdom, this plant is very popular for gardens. It has even won a special award called the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. This award means it's a great plant for gardeners to grow because it performs well and is easy to care for.
See also
- Genista
