Giesta (Cytisus scoparius)

A very common shrub in Madeira and also found on the island of Porto Santo. It belongs to the Leguminosae family, subfamily Papilionatae, and has 3-foliate leaves, with very small leaflets, yellow flowers, and very compressed pods, keeled on the margins. The giesta is widely used as a fertilizer for the land, and with its branches, baskets, gourds, and other small artifacts are made. This industry already existed on the island at the time when the 'Saudades da Terra' were written.