Cytisus scoparius is known by names Basam, Bisom, Breeam, Brum, Canary Island Broom, Kytisos, Scotch Broom, and Spanish Broom. It contains the poisonous alkaloid Cytisine which have made it to be associated with witchcraft. Cytisus scoparius also has been used by the Yaqui medicine men.

Scotch Broom is a leguminosae family shrub growing native in Canary Islands. It can gain a height of three meters (10 feet) and has stiff dark-green branches and bright yellow flowers.

The branches of Cytisus scoparius were used to make brooms, thus the name Scotch Broom. Also the flying brooms of witches are said to be done from these brooms as well, which gives another reason to associate Cytisus scoparius as a plant of witches.