Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Cytisus

CYTISUS, a genus of plants belonging to the natural order Legumisosæ, sub-order Papilionaceæ. The members of the genus are shrubs or small trees, sometimes spiny, with leaves composed of three leaflets, and with yellow, purple, or white flowers. They belong to Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and are very ornamental plants. The best known species is the common laburnum (C. Lahuryium; see Laburnum). Another species is the Alpine laburnum (C. alpinus). The common broom (C. Scoparius) also belongs to this genus.