Mid-Atlantic Invaders Tool

Scotch broom

Cytisus scoparius

(L.) Link

Taxon, Habit: Plant, Shrub

Habitat: Terrestrial

U.S. Nativity: Introduced

Species Synonym(s): None

Common Name(s): Scottish broom, English broom, scotchbroom

Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Family Synonym(s): Leguminosae

Native Range (GRIN):

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Plant

Eric Coombs, Oregon Department of Agriculture

Foliage

Tom Heutte, USDA Forest Service

Flower

Eric Coombs, Oregon Department of Agriculture

Flower

Utah State University

Plant

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Twig/Shoot

Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft.

Seed

Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database

Plant

Steve Dewey, Utah State University

Plant

Tom Heutte, USDA Forest Service

Infestation

Eric Coombs, Oregon Department of Agriculture

Twig/Shoot

Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft.

Infestation

Eric Coombs, Oregon Department of Agriculture

Fruit

Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut

Flower

Eric Coombs, Oregon Department of Agriculture

Description

Appearance
Cytisus scoparius 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). The stems are five-angled and remain green all year.
Foliage
Leaves are small, alternate and compound with 3 leaflets. The leaves are often not noticeable, due to the dark green stems.
Flowers
The flowers are bright yellow, resemble sweet pea flowers, and occur singly or in pairs in the upper leaf axils. They bloom from late May to June.
Fruit
Seed pods are fuzzy on the edges, 1-2 in. (2.5-5 cm) long, and will explode when mature forcefully expelling the seeds. The seeds are small and multi-colored, ranging from green to brown to reddish brown.
Ecological Threat
Cytisus scoparius occurs along roadsides, coastal sites, disturbed sites, pastures, and dry scrubland. Its nitrogen fixing ability allows it to compete successfully on poor, dry, sandy soils. It grows well in full sun. It has been considered a pest weed since the 1920’s on the West Coast. Cytisus scoparius is native to western and central Europe. It was introduced into the United States as an ornamental in the early 1800s.

Uses

Landscape Ornamental Use (GRIN): Yes

All Uses (GRIN): Erosion control, Ornamental, Source of sparteine, Potential seed contaminant

Distribution Map (EDDMapS)

Wetland Indicator

Summary: Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) is a Terrestrial species.

Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain (AGCP):

Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain regions

No Data

Eastern Mountains and Piedmont (EMP):

Mid-Atlantic Piedmont and Mountain regions

No Data

Northcentral and Northeast (NCNE):

Northern parts of PA and NJ (and beyond)

No Data


Legend (data from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

OBL (Obligate wetland): Almost always occurs in wetlands (estimated probability > 99%) under natural conditions

FACW (Facultative wetland): Usually occurs in wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in non-wetlands

FAC (Facultative): Equally likely to occur in wetlands (estimated probability 34% - 66%) or non-wetlands

FACU (Facultative upland): Usually occur in non-wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in wetlands (estimated probability 1% - 33%)

UPL (Obligate upland): Occur almost always (estimated probability > 99%) in non-wetlands under natural conditions

Taxonomic Rank

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Rosidae
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Cytisus
Subject: Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link

Resources