PHENOLOGY OF SPECIES BELONGING TO THE GENUS CYTISUS AND ALLIES (GENISTEAE: LEGUMINOSAE)

Abstract

The phenology of nineteeen accessions belonging to fourteen shrubby species of the genus Cytisus and allied taxa (Genisteae: Leguminosae) has been studied. The species are potentially interesting for introduction in agroforestry systems, or non-irrigated gardens, in extreme-climated dry mediterranean areas. The methodology used for the description of the phenology was based on nine key phenophases. This system can be generally applicable to most of the shrubby species interesting for the above-mentioned purposes. Cytisophyllum sessilifolium started the growth season significantly later than the rest of the species. Bloom extended from mid-March for some of the species to the beginning of June for others, and maturation of pods from the end of March to the beginning of August. The dendrogram obtained on the mean dates for every phenophase contributes to support Chamaecytisus hirsutus and Chamaecytisus supinas as consistently different species, as well as the close relation between Cytisus villosus and the genus Chamaecytisus.