Calicotome Link
Genus composed of 5 species, distributed with greater or lesser extent across the Mediterranean region. Of these, only C. infesta (C.Presl) Guss. (Spartium infestum C.Presl) lacks representation in North Africa.
Gibbs, P.E. 1968. Taxonomy and distribution of the genus Calicotome. Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 28: 275-286.
Rothmaler, W. 1949. Revision der Genisteen. II. Die Gattungen Erinacea, Spartium und Calycotome. Bot. Jahrb. 74: 271-287.
Vicioso, C. 1955. Genísteas españolas. II. Erinacea, Spartium, Retama, Chamaecytisus, Cytisus, Sarothamnus, Calicotome, Adenocarpus. Bol. Inst. Forest. Invest. Exp. 72: 224-232.
Key to species
1 Old branches glabrous; ovary and fruit glabrous Calicotome spinosa
1 Old branches hairy; ovary and fruits hairy, rarely glabrous 2
2 Branches and spines sericeous Calicotome intermedia
2 Branches and spines densely villous 3
3 Pod villous-lanate Calicotome villosa
3 Pod glabrous Calicotome rigida
Updated by: J.A. Devesa & G. Martínez-Sagarra.