spineless butcher's broom
Also known as: double-leaved butcher's broom; horse tongue; tongue blade; double tongue
A compact, evergreen shrub to around 50cm tall forming clumps of arching stems with pointed, glossy, bright green 'leaves' that are actually modified, flattened shoots called cladodes. Tiny, greenish-cream flowers are borne on the cladodes in spring and may be followed by bright red summer berries

Scientific classification
- Species
- spineless butcher's broom (Ruscus hypoglossum)
- Genus
- Ruscus
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Information to be completed
- Toxicity
- Shrubs
- Plant type
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- Evergreen
- Foliage
- Bushy
- Habit
- Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
- Season of interest
- Full shade · Full sun · Partial shade
- Sunlight
- Information to be completed
- Ideal temperature
spineless butcher's broom pictures
Distribution of spineless butcher's broom
Distribution map
Europe to Turkey
Information to be completed
Culture
Information to be completed
Toxicity
Information to be completed
Quick identification of spineless butcher's broom
Information to be completed
spineless butcher's broom care guide
- Moderate watering, let soil partially dry before rewatering
- Watering
- Full shade · Full sun · Partial shade
- Sunlight
- Information to be completed
- Ideal temperature
Watering
Moderate watering, let soil partially dry before rewatering
Fertilizing
Light balanced shrub feed monthly spring and summer months
Pruning
Cut out dead stems to the base in spring
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by division
Growing
Will grow in almost any garden situation, except waterlogged ground, including dry shade
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Information to be completed
Common pests and diseases
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility
Pests
Generally pest-free
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