A broad flowering shrub, growing especially in heathlands and open woodland. It was in country like this that broom was discovered by Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee as they passed through North Ithilien. During spring and early summer, broom bushes are densely covered in yellow flowers (though as Frodo and Sam came across the broom of Ithilien in March, they probably did not see the plant in full flower). Broom is also notable for its strong, straight stems (these stems were at one time bundled to create sweeping brushes, and indeed the name 'broom' for such a brush comes from this plant).