This wildflower was used by the ancients to name a dynasty, elegant and perfect for gifting

Broom, also known as: purple broom, is a creeping herb in the Fabaceae family, genus Parochetus, 10-20 cm tall, sparsely covered with soft hairs. The rhizome is thread-like, rooting at the nodes, with root nodules. The petal tips are slightly pointed, splitting into two parts at the sides, shaped like a flying sparrow, golden yellow in color, hence the name "broom". It grows in forest-edge grasslands, hillsides, and wasteland by roadsides, at an elevation of 2000-3000 m. It is found in Sichuan, Yunnan, and Tibet. It is also distributed in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and eastern Africa.

Broom is native to Europe and is a relatively common leguminous plant across Eurasia; in China it is mostly seen in the northwest and southwest regions. Some grows wild, but most of the time we see it as a garden plant, planted in flower beds along roadsides. It has root nodules and can fix nitrogen, making it a garden plant that is very good for the soil. In my memory, there are quite a lot of them along the outer ring road of Urumqi.

Abroad, broom is used very frequently in newly built courtyards, because it has an astonishing growth rate. As long as conditions are suitable, it is no problem for it to grow into a bushy plant about 3 m across in two to three years. It can achieve the expected design effect perfectly at the fastest speed. And in history, there was a renowned dynasty, namely the Plantagenet dynasty.

Broom is commonly propagated by sowing, division, cuttings, layering, and other methods. It prefers a sunny environment, tolerates drought and poor soil, but fears waterlogging and overly shady environments. Its sprouting ability is very strong and it grows rapidly; during the growing season it should be pinched back frequently, which not only keeps the leaves small but also encourages more buds and more flowers. Prune away overly long or messy branches that affect the bonsai's appearance at any time.

Broom is not afraid of sun and does not need shading even in midsummer. However, too much water will cause root rot, and too much fertilizer will make the leaves too large and affect its ornamental value, so in general no additional fertilizing is needed during care, but when the flower buds of broom form, spray the leaves once with 0.2% monopotassium phosphate to extend the flowering period. In winter, keep it indoors in a cool place or outdoors in a wind-sheltered, sunny spot to overwinter.

Broom has many advantages, yet it has never been put to practical use in China. This is entirely because plants of the genus Genista have never been used in Chinese gardens. It has only been about two or three years since broom was introduced from New Zealand to China for large-scale trial planting, and adaptive planting in Shanghai in recent years has proven that it is fully adapted to Shanghai's climate, and it is gradually being promoted in street green spaces, receiving good reviews.

Broom contains protein, fat, carbohydrates, multiple vitamins, multiple minerals, and other components. The wild vegetable broom has a slightly warm and sweet nature and flavor, and has the effects of nourishing yin, harmonizing blood, and strengthening the spleen. It treats consumptive fever and cough, dizziness and sore waist, women's asthma and leukorrhea, childhood malnutrition, breast abscess, bruises and injuries, etc.