| Scotch broom | USDA PLANTS Symbol: CYSC4 U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Shrub |
| Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link | |
| Synonym(s): Scottish broom, English broom, scotchbroom | |
Scotch broom is a perennial shrub that grows on average from 3.3-9.8 ft. (1-3 m) tall, but can reach to 13 ft. (4 m). Leaves are small, alternate and compound with 3 leaflets. The leaves are often not noticeable, due to the dark green stems. The flowers are bright yellow, resemble sweet pea flowers and occur singly in axils of the leaves. Seed pods are fuzzy on the edges, 1-2 in. (2.5-5 cm) long and will explode when mature. Scotch broom is native to western and central Europe and occurs in coastal areas with mild, wet winters and well-drained soils. It was introduced into the United States as an ornamental in the early 1800s. |
|
Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
|
| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Foliage; Tom Heutte, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Utah State University Archive, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Seed pods, X Region, Chile; This plant is also a noxious weed in the Pacific Northwest and North California. William M. Ciesla, Forest Health Management International, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Growing to 1.5 m in height. Flowers May to June. Common on sandy soils. Poland Gil Wojciech, Polish Forest Research Institute, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); in flower Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Tom Heutte, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Eric Coombs, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seed(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Diagram or Graphic; Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 350. USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
| EDDMapS Distribution: |
