Erect, reseeding, grey-green, robust shrub, with a short trunk branching from the base. Pinnate leaves, 3-5 leaflets arranged on either side of the stalk, each leaf elliptic-obovate, finely hairy, about 3cm long, midrib prominent underneath. Racemes of hairy, purple to pink flowers arise from axils of leaves, on robust flower stems which are as long as the leaf stalks, Pods greyish, hairy, erect.

Cytisus - a shrubby plant mentioned by Greek and Roman writers as a useful fodder; adopted by Linnaeus as the name of a genus of leguminous shrubs and trees.