Historical uses Genisteae

broom (plant)

the plantagenet kings used common broom (known planta genista in latin) emblem , took name it. emblem of geoffrey of anjou, father of henry ii of england. wild broom still common in dry habitats around anjou, france.

charles v , son charles vi of france used pod of broom plant (broom-cod, or cosse de geneste) emblem livery collars , badges.

genista tinctoria (dyer s broom, known dyer s greenweed or dyer s greenwood), provides useful yellow dye , grown commercially purpose in parts of britain 19th century. woollen cloth, mordanted alum, dyed yellow dyer s greenweed, dipped vat of blue dye (woad or, later, indigo) produce once-famous kendal green (largely superseded brighter saxon green in 1770s). kendal green local common name plant.

the flower buds , flowers of cytisus scoparius have been used salad ingredient, raw or pickled, , popular ingredient salmagundi or grand sallet during 17th , 18th century. there concerns toxicity of broom, potential effects on heart , problems during pregnancy.