A strongly growing shrub with erect green rush like stems to 3m. It has large yellow pea like flowers which are in loose terminal clusters from late summer through to autumn. Spanish Broom likes a sunny position and is an excellent seaside shrub. Common garden plant native to Southern Europe to North Africa, and naturalized in Southern Britain.

The young herbaceous tips of flowering shoots are harvested in spring, generally in May, and can be used fresh or dried, they act as a cardiotonic, cathartic, diuretic, emetic and purgative. The seeds can also be used. The plant is an efficacious and potent diuretic. This plant is 5 - 6 times more active than the medicinally similar Cytisus scoparius and should be used with caution since large doses are likely to upset the stomach and cause purging.

Give the seeds a pre-soak of 24 hours in hot water and sow February/March in a greenhouse, normally germinating well and quickly.