Calicotome spinosa, (L.) Link

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1981, Flora Europaea. Volume 2. Rosaceae to Umbelliferae, Cambridge University Press : 86

1. C. spinosa (L.) Link , Enum. Hort. Berol. Alt. 2: 225 (1822).

Erect shrub up to 3 m; branches with stout lateral spines; young twigs sparsely sericeous. Leaves 3-foliolate; leaflets 5-15 mm, obovate, with sericeous hairs beneath, glabrous above. Flowers mostly solitary, but occasionally in fascicles; pedicels 4-8 mm; bracteoles entire or somewhat 3-fid, sparsely pubescent, borne just below the calyx. Calyx sparsely pubescent. Corolla 12-18 mm, glabrous. Legume c. 30 mm, narrowly oblong, glabrous (occasionally with sparse hairs), the sutures not or scarcely thickened. Evergreen scrub and dry rocky ground. W. Mediterranean region. BI Co Ga Hs It Sa?Si. Plants from N.W. Italy with distinctly 3-fid bracteoles have been distinguished as subsp. ligustica Bumat , FI. Alp. Marit. 2: 57 (1896). There are many intermediates, however, and it is doubtful if it merits even varietal status.