|Scotch broom|| USDA PLANTS Symbol: CYSC4 U.S. Nativity: Exotic
Habit: Shrub or Subshrub |Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link| Jump to:
Resources | Images | Distribution Maps | Sources Taxonomic Rank:
Magnoliopsida: Fabales: Fabaceae (Leguminosae) |Synonym(s):
Scottish broom, English broom, scotchbroom| |Native Range:
Central and Southern Europe (REHD, BAIL);| 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