| Common Name: | Scotch broom |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Genus: | Cytisus |
| Species: | scoparius |
| Classification/Rank: | Extremely Invasive |
| Method of Transportation: | Splitting seed pods can eject seeds up to 5 meters. Seeds can be spread on machinery and vehicles. Any disturbance activity can enhance spread. |
| Habitat/Range: | Escaped garden ornamental that can invade well-drained mineral soils that are exposed. Shade-intolerant. |
Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) is an evergreen shrub up to 3 m in height. Stems are woody and generally five-angled. Pea-like flowers are found along the stems and are yellow, sometimes with a red marking near the center. Seeds are contained in dark, hairy pods.
Note: Gorse is also an evergreen shrub with yellow pea-like flowers and it looks very similar to Scotch broom, but Gorse is armed with rigid spines.
For more information or to report this plant contact the NWIPC at info@nwipc.org or call the Weeds Hotline at 1-866-44WEEDS. The Report-A-Weed application is also available for easy reporting from a Smart phone.
The Northwest Invasive Plant Council will have an Information Booth at this year's BCNE, and we're looking for volunteers to help out.
You...
Watch this short video from the Province about invasive species and their impacts on BC - Invaders! Invasive Species in BC
