About Genista aetnensis (Biv.) DC.
Genista aetnensis, commonly called the Mount Etna broom, is a species of flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae. It is a large shrub or small tree endemic to Corsica, Sardinia, and Sicily. In its native range, it grows in sunny, open landscapes on poor, stony soil. It is a very common component of garigue, the Mediterranean shrubby vegetation, around the lower slopes of Mount Etna, which is how it got its Latin specific epithet aetnensis. Young plants have the characteristic broom form, covered in narrow linear leaves that fall off early, leaving almost bare branches. As the plant ages, it develops into a shapely small tree with greenish bark, and can grow up to 8 metres (26 ft) tall when it has enough space to grow. Its terminal branches tend to droop in a weeping habit. In late summer, the entire crown is covered in abundant, pea-like yellow flowers that carry a jasmine scent. Two subspecies are currently accepted: Genista aetnensis subsp. aetnensis, which is native to Sicily, and Genista aetnensis subsp. sarda (C.Presl) Fridl., which is native to Corsica and Sardinia. This species is sometimes cultivated in gardens and landscape planting, grown both for its flowers and its attractive form when mature. It is hardy to temperatures as low as −15 °C (5 °F). When grown in cultivation in the United Kingdom, it has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
