French broom
(Genista monspessulana (L.) L. Johnson)

Overview

Appearance

Genista monspessulana is a perennial leafy leguminous shrub that grows up to 9.8 ft. (3 m) tall. The main stem is grey and hairless.

Foliage

Leaves are alternate, three-foliate and petiolate 0.08-0.16 in. (2-4 mm) long. Leaflets are elliptic to obovate, often with a short point.

Flowers

Flowers are pedicellate and arranged in a series of lateral racemes of 3 to 7 flowers on indeterminate axillary branches. Pedicels are 0.06-0.12 in. (1.5-3 mm). Standard flower is 0.39-0.51 in. (10-13 mm). Flowers in late winter-spring to late summer-autumn.

Fruit

Fruit pods are densely hairy, ovoid to oblong, 0.6-1 in. (1.5-2.5 cm) long, 0.12-0.2 in. (3-5 mm) wide with 3 to 6 seeds released explosively when ripe. Seeds are strophiolate.

Ecological Threat

Genista monspessulana can be found in coastal plains, mountain slopes, riverbanks, road cuts, forest clear-cuts, grassland and open canopy forest on a wide range of soil types. It is native to the Mediterranean region.

Resources

• Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• California Invasive Plant Council
• California Noxious Weeds
• Hawaii Noxious Weeds
• Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
• John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
• Native Plant Society of Oregon, 2008
• New Invaders of the Northwest
• Oregon Noxious Weeds
• Pacific Northwest Exotic Pest Plant Council, 1998
• Reichard, Sarah. 1994.  Assessing the potential of invasiveness in woody plants introduced in North America. University of Washington Ph.D. dissertation.
• Washington Noxious Weeds
• WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States

References