Long-lived seeds are copiously produced (to 12,000+ seeds/mature shrub) and mature in June and July. It flowers in late March to April inland, April to June on the coast. Scotch broom becomes reproductive at two to three years on reaching a height of two to three feet (60-100 cm). This species is difficult to control because of its substantial and long-lived seedbank. Scotch broom burns readily and carries fire to the tree canopy, increasing both the frequency and intensity of fires (Parsons 1992). Since Scotch broom can grow more rapidly than most trees used in forestry, it shades out tree seedlings in areas that are revegetated after tree harvest. Foliage causes digestive disorders in horses (Parsons 1992). The seedling stage (Bossard and RejmÌÁnek 1994). Mature shoots are unpalatable and are not used for forage except by rabbits in (Bossard and RejmÌÁnek 1994, Wheelor et al.1988). Scotch broom infestationsĬan attain a biomass of over 44,000 to 50,000 kg/hectare in three to four years Plant community, forming a dense monospecific stand. It is a strong competitor and can dominate a It displaces native plant and forage speciesĪnd makes reforestation difficult. Scotch broom currently occupies more thanħ00,000 acres in central to northwest coastal and Sierra Nevada foothill regions Plants can resproutįrom the root crown after cutting or freezing and sometimes after fire (Bossard Readily dispersed by rain wash on slopes (Bossard 1991b). Mud clinging to road grading or maintenance machinery. One medium-sized shrub can produce over 12,000 seeds a year.Īfter ballistic dispersal, seeds are further dispersed by ants, animals, or in Ornamental in the Sierra Nevada foothills, it was later used to prevent erosionĪnd stabilize dunes (Geickey 1957, Schwendiman 1977).
Introduced to California in the 1850s as an Its natural range is broad, from Great Britain to the Ural Mountains andįrom Sweden to the Mediterranean. Scotch broom is native to Europe and NorthĪfrica. WHERE DID IT COME FROM AND HOW IS IT SPREAD? Grassland, shrubland, and open canopy forest below 4,000 feet ( River banks, road cuts, and forest clearcuts, but can colonize undisturbed It is common in disturbed places, such as It is also reported from LosĪngeles and San Bernardino counties. Of northern California on lower slopes and very prevalent in Eldorado, Nevada,Īnd Placer counties in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Monterey north to Oregon border, Scotch broom is prevalent in interior mountains Inflorescence: 1-2 flowers clustered in leaf axis pedicels Leaves: on young branches there is usually one sessile leaf or three leaflets 0.3-0.7 in (5-18 mm) long leaf/leaflets oblong and pointed on both ends, hairs may be flattened against the leaf or absent. Stems: 5 angled, green and hairy when young, later glabrous. Hairs all over them, stems that are not ridged or green, and more thanĮighty-five percent of its photosynthetic tissue in leaf tissue (Bossard andįabaceae. Sometimes this species isĬonfused with French broom ( Genista monspessulana), which has pods with Tissue is in the leaves and half is in twig tissue. One or two golden yellow pea-like flowersĬluster between the leaf base and stem. Hairs fall off, and the branches become tan and lose the distinct ridges. Have five green ridges with hairs on them when young as the branches mature the
Is a perennial shrub six to ten feet tall. Sarothamnus scoparius, Spartium scoparius Scotch broom, English broom, common broom
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