Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes ProCon History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture Money Videos
butcher’s broom
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images
Jew's myrtle
Related Questions
Read Next
Plant seedlings emerging from rich fertile soil
Do Plants Feel Pain?
Flower bingo
Britannica’s Flower Bingo
Macro image of pollen-covered bee on purple crocus. (flowers, stamen, pollination, insects, nature)
5 Fast Facts About Flower Anatomy
Anemone coronaria, the poppy anemone, Spanish marigold, or windflower, is a species of flowering plant.
What’s the Difference Between Angiosperms and Gymnosperms?
Sunlight shining on leaves. Photosynthesis
What Does Photosynthesis Produce?
Discover
Los Angeles Police Department wanted flyer on Elizabeth Short, aka the "Black Dahlia," who was brutally murdered in January 1947. The FBI supported the Los Angeles Police Department in the case, including by identifying Short through her fingerprints that
America’s 5 Most Notorious Cold Cases (Including One You May Have Thought Was Already Solved)
Close up of books. Stack of books, pile of books, literature, reading. Homepage 2010, arts and entertainment, history and society
12 Novels Considered the “Greatest Book Ever Written”
Santa Claus flying in his sleigh, christmas, reindeer
Was Santa Claus a Real Person?
Rural Irish landscape, Sligo, Ireland.
Why Is Ireland Two Countries?
An ancient egyptian hieroglyphic painted carving showing the falcon headed god Horus seated on a throne and holding a golden fly whisk. Before him are the Pharoah Seti and the goddess Isis. Interior wall of the temple to Osiris at Abydos, Egypt.
11 Egyptian Gods and Goddesses
Diverse elementary school children wearing school uniforms running outside of school. Boys girls
Pro and Con: School Uniforms
Title: Senate Square, St. Petersburg, December 14, 1825: repression of the troop mutiny - watercolor by Carl Ivanovitch Kollman, 1825 depicts Decembrist uprising clashing with cavalry, with spectators watching. (new style December 26, 1825) Europe. Saint
8 of the Largest Empires in History
Jew's myrtle
Jew's myrtle Jew's myrtle (Ruscus aculeatus)

butcher’s broom

plant
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/plant/butchers-broom
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Also known as: Ruscus
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Article History
Related Topics:
Jew’s myrtle
See all related content

butcher’s broom, any dark green shrub of the genus Ruscus of the family Ruscaceae, native to Eurasia. The plants lack leaves but have flattened, leaflike branchlets. The small flower clusters are borne in the centre of the branchlets, or on one side of the branchlet. The fruit is a red berry.

One species, called Jew’s myrtle (R. aculeatus), is cultivated for its branchlets, which are dyed and used as decorations in winter. The young shoots are edible; dried branches are used to make brooms.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by William L. Hosch.