Scotch Broom

Cytissus scoparius

Fabaceae (The Legume Family)

 

▲ flowering shrubs

▲▼ flowers

▲ shrub

Location on or near campus: not known

Cytissus scoparius:  Scotch Broom:

• *    leaves tiny, alternate, trifoliate, early deciduous, with lanceolate leaflets 0.25-0.5 inches long
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• *    stems bright green, slender, stiff, ridged, arching; grows 3-6’ tall and wide
• plant has broom-like, arching green branches that give interesting texture to landscape
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• *    flowers bright yellow in axils of leaves in May-June—very showy; formed on previous season’s wood
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• *    may not be long-lived; prefers full sun to part shade, sandy, well-drained soils
• has become invasive in western states, Canada, New Zealand