Scorpion broom
Genista scorpius
Family · Fabaceae · Irritating
Irritant
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The armed broom of northeastern Iberian limestone, covered in long rigid spines set like stings. In April it turns completely yellow and is one of the best bee plants of the dry interior.
Where it grows
Scrubland · Roadsides and waste ground · Fields and pasture · Uplands
Also known asthorny broom
In flower
How to tell it
Long, straight, very stiff spines coming off the branch at right angles. Tiny, sparse leaves. Yellow pea flowers clustered along the spines. Limestone soils only.
What it is confused with
No dangerous lookalikes known in the Iberian Peninsula.
What it is for
Bread-oven fuel across inland Aragón and Castile, gathered with a fork because of the spines. An excellent nectar plant.