Spartium / Brnistra

It is the sole species in the genus Spartium, but is closely related to the other brooms in the genera Cytisus and Genista. It is a vigorous, deciduous shrub growing to 2–4 m (7–13 ft) tall, rarely 5 m, with main stems up to 5 cm thick, rarely 10 cm. It has thick, somewhat succulent grey-green rush-like shoots with very sparse small deciduous leaves 1 - 3 cm long and up to 4 mm broad. The leaves are of little importance to the plant, with much of the photosynthesis occurring in the green shoots (a water-conserving strategy in its dry climate). The leaves fall away early. In late spring and summer shoots are covered in profuse fragrant yellow pea-like flowers 1 - 2 cm across. In late summer, the legumes (seed pods) mature black and reach 8 - 10 cm long. They burst open, often with an audible crack, spreading seed from the parent plant.