Cytisus striatus aka Hairy Fruited Broom

Cytisus striatus has two names: Portuguese broom and hairy-fruited broom. It belongs to Fabaceae, the pea family. It grows wild in Portugal, Spain, and northern Morocco. Kew puts it in a subtropical climate range. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. Other names include striated broom and Sarothamnus eriocarpus. It also has the name Genista striata.

This shrub grows fast and keeps its leaves year-round. Its stated garden height is about 6.6 feet [2 metres]. It grows about as wide, which gives it a broad shape. The supplied evidence says little about this species' leaves. It gives no clear account of bark, stems, or fruit. Insects, such as bees, bring pollen to its flowers. The plant is self-fertile: it can set seed on its own. The sources give no bloom season for this species.

Grow it in full sun, not in shade. It suits sand or loam that drains well. It can grow in poor soil with rocks or gravel. It accepts soil that is mildly acid, neutral, or alkaline. It grows best in dry to somewhat moist soil. Once plants take root, they can cope with drought. But soil that stays wet can cause root rot. It has low salt tolerance, which limits use on salty coasts. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 7–9 for this plant. It also lists a separate UK zone number. That number does not give an RHS hardiness rating.

The plant fixes nitrogen and can help improve poor soil. Sources list its use to curb soil loss and restore land. They also list ground cover, hedgerows, and homes for wildlife. Its growth on poor land suits these uses. But spread beyond its native range can outweigh these gains. People brought it to California and Oregon for landscape and slope use. It has since become invasive in both states. PFAF reports invasive spread in Australia and New Zealand, too. There, it can compete with native plants and change local ecosystems.

Grow new plants from seeds or semi-hardwood cuttings. Seeds may need soaking or scarification before sowing. Scarification means breaking or wearing down the seed coat. The supplied evidence names no specific insect pests or diseases. It does flag poor drainage as a risk to roots. PFAF lists no known food or medicinal uses for this species. It gives a broad warning about broom alkaloids. That warning does not prove that this species is toxic. A lack of known food uses does not mean it is safe.