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Classification, origin and diffusion
Division: Spermatophyta
Subdivision: Angiospermae
Class: Dicotyledones
Family: Fabaceae
The Ginestra dellEtna is an endemic species of Sicily (eastern side of Etna) and Sardinia Eastern side).
Broom of Etna - Genista aetnensis (Biv.) DC. (photo www.dipbot.unict.it)
Broom of Etna - Genista aetnensis (Biv.) DC. (photo Velela)
General characteristics
Size and bearing
Tree up to 6-8 meters high, with irregular crown, consisting of streaked and pubescent branches. The trunk, sometimes underdeveloped, is covered with brownish-red rind like the main branches.
leaves
Caducus, linear in shape, scattered and covered with hair. They are present from October to April, when they fall as the plant is about to bloom.
Reproductive structures
The flowers appear in late spring, are golden-yellow and arranged in dense elongated racemes. The fruit is a brown, glabrous, sickle-shaped legume containing 2-4 small lenticular seeds.
Uses
In the 1950s, an attempt was made to introduce this plant for forestry purposes to the Peloritani Mountains and Vesuvius, but without great success. It is an ornamental plant very suitable for difficult and poorly evolved soils, in environments not affected by salt.
