Genista lydia
Common name: 
Lydia Broom
Lydia Woadwaxen
Pronunciation: 
je-NIS-ta LE-di-a
Family: 
Fabaceae
Genus: 
Genista
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Deciduous (evergreen in warm areas), shrublet, low, 2 ft (60 cm) high, a procumbent form is common in cultivation.  Short, arching, slender, angular green stems.   Leaves alternate, simple, small (10 x 1.5 mm), linear-elliptic, acute tip, spaced about 10-15 mm along the stem.  Flowers bright yellow (pea-type), 1 cm long, cover plant in May.  Fruit to 2 cm, narrow-oblong, flat, glabrous (without hairs), 3-8 seeded.
  • Full sun and well drained soil.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone (6) 7      Native to the Balkans and western Asia.
  • Genista: classical Latin name for broom.  lydia: of Lydia (Western Turkey).
  • Corvallis: behind University Plaza, at Western Ave. and 15th St.
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit, flowering

    plant habit, flowering

  • plant habit, flowering

    plant habit, flowering

  • emerging shoots

    emerging shoots

  • flowering shoots

    flowering shoots