Common broom; Retama negra

Description:

Citysus is one of several genera in the tribe Genisteae which are commonly called brooms. They are extensive shrubs with close packed twigs producing masses of brightly yellow coloured, pea-like flowers, which alone or associated to other shrubs like Juniperus communis. The fruit is a hairy legume. Plants of Cytisus scoparius typically grow to 1–3 m tall. The shrubs have green shoots with small deciduous trifoliate leaves 5–15 mm long, and in spring and summer is covered in profuse golden yellow flowers 20–30 mm from top to bottom and 15–20 mm wide. In late summer, its legumes (seed pods) mature black, 2–3 cm long, 8 mm broad and 2–3 mm thick; they burst open, often with an audible crack, forcibly throwing seed from the parent plant. This is the hardiest species of broom, tolerating temperatures down to about −25 °C. C. scoparius contains toxic alkaloids that depress the heart and nervous system

Habitat:

Spotted in siliceous mountains, in a clearing of pine tree (Pinus sylvestris) forest. Parque Nacional de Sierra de Guadarrama.

Notes:

Camera Model: NIKON D300. Exposure Time: 1/320 sec.; f/9; ISO Speed Rating: 800. Exposure Bias: 0 EV. Focal Length: 300.0 mm.