Common Broom

Common Broom (Cytisus scoparius, syn. Sarothamnus scoparius), also known as European Broom, Scots Broom, Irish Broom or English Broom is a perennial, leguminous shrub native to northwestern Europe, where it is found in sunny sites, usually on dry, sandy soils. Common Broom is the hardiest broom, tolerating temperatures down to about -25°C.

Related Topics:
Syn. - Shrub - Europe - Broom

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Common Broom typically grows to 1-3 m tall, rarely 4 m, with main stems up to 5 cm thick, rarely 10 cm. It has green shoots with small deciduous trifoliate leaves 5-15 mm long, and in spring and summer is covered in profuse golden yellow flowers 20-30 mm from top to bottom and 15-20 mm wide. Flowering occurs after 50-80 growing degree days. In late summer, its legumes (seed pods) mature black, 2-3 cm long, 8 mm broad and 2-3 mm thick; they burst open, often with an audible crack, spreading seed from the parent plant.

Related Topics:
Leaves - Flower - Growing degree day - Legume - Seed

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It has been widely introduced into other continents, and is regarded as a noxious invasive species in many places such as California and the Pacific Northwest in North America, and New Zealand.

Related Topics:
Invasive species - California - Pacific Northwest - North America - New Zealand

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