genista

[juh-nis-tuh]

noun

any plant belonging to the genus Genista, of the legume family, having showy flowers and including many species of broom.
a related plant, Cytisus canariensis, of the Canary Islands, having loose clusters of fragrant yellow flowers.

Origin of genista

1615–25; < New Latin, Latin: the broomplant

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for genista

Historical Examples of genista

Jacinto Quesada drew back from the entangled buckthorn and genista.
The Wolf Cub
Patrick Casey
The other species of Genista should not be pruned, except to keep them in shape.
Trees and Shrubs for English Gardens
Ernest Thomas Cook
Here he has stopped to survey his rear—there he has lingered to nibble a genista, and the spoor zigzags to and fro.
Unexplored Spain
Abel Chapman
He afterwards took the name of Plantagenet (Planta genista) and transmitted it to his princely posterity.
Plant Lore, Legends, and Lyrics
Richard Folkard
The Genista tomentosa yields red petals used in dyeing, and containing much tannic acid.
The Commercial Products of the Vegetable Kingdom
P. L. Simmonds