genista

[ juh-nis-tuh ]

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of genista¹

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

Example Sentences

Jacinto Quesada drew back from the entangled buckthorn and genista.

From Project Gutenberg

Resting under a solitary broom bush (a kind of genista), he gave vent to his disappointment in a prayer for death.

From Project Gutenberg

It feeds in July and August on broom, dyer's greenweed (Genista tinctoria), persicaria, and other low plants.

From Project Gutenberg

Fig. 677 represents the famous badge of the "broom-cod" or "planta genista," from which the name of the dynasty was derived.

From Project Gutenberg

The only prominent form of vegetation is a peculiar tall broom—Genista Etnensis—which here flourishes.

From Project Gutenberg