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General Buhari holding a broom at a campign rally

Broom refers to a cleaning implement used for sweeping. The term can also refer to certain types of shrubs in the Fabaceae family, particularly those in the genera Cytisus, Genista, and Spartium. These plants are characterized by their slender, green stems and small leaves, often adapted to dry, nutrient-poor environments. Brooms have been used both as tools and as plants with various roles in horticulture, folklore, and symbolism across different cultures.

Types of Brooms

Brooms can be broadly classified into two categories: traditional brooms made from natural materials and modern brooms made from synthetic materials.

Traditional Brooms

Traditional brooms are often crafted from plant materials such as corn husks, sorghum, and twigs from broom plants. The most iconic of these is perhaps the besom, a type of broom made from twigs tied around a sturdier stick, which is associated with witchcraft and folklore.

Modern Brooms

Modern brooms are typically made from plastic, metal, or other synthetic materials. These brooms may feature bristles made from nylon or other plastics, and are often designed for specific cleaning purposes, such as indoor or outdoor use, or for use on particular surfaces.

Broom Plants

The broom plants, particularly those in the Cytisus and Genista genera, are notable for their bright yellow flowers and their ability to thrive in poor soils. These characteristics have made them popular in gardens and landscaping, though some species have become invasive in regions outside their native range.

Cultural Significance

Brooms and broom plants hold various symbolic meanings in different cultures. In European folklore, brooms are often associated with witches and magic. The act of jumping over a broom is a traditional wedding ceremony in some African American cultures, symbolizing the sweeping away of old cares and the welcoming of a new domestic life.

Environmental Impact

While broom plants can be beneficial for erosion control and as pioneer species in degraded soils, some species, such as Cytisus scoparius (Scotch broom), are considered invasive in parts of the United States and Canada, where they can outcompete native vegetation and disrupt local ecosystems.

Uses

Beyond their use in cleaning and gardening, brooms have been employed in various cultural rituals and ceremonies. In addition to their role in wedding traditions, brooms are also used in some cultures for protection against evil spirits and to symbolize cleanliness and order.

See Also

• Cleaning tool
• Horticulture
• Invasive species
• Folklore

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