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Common Broom

Cytisus scoparius

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Plant Profile
Similar Species
Other Information
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Distribution Map

Flowering Months:

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Order:

Fabales

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea)

Also in this family:

Alpine Milk-vetch, Alsike Clover, Birdsfoot, Birdsfoot Clover, Bird's-foot Trefoil, Bithynian Vetch, Bitter Vetch, Black Broom, Black Medick, Bladder Senna, Broad Bean, Broad-leaved Everlasting Pea, Bur Medick, Burrowing Clover, Bush Vetch, Clustered Clover, Common Gorse, Common Laburnum, Common Restharrow, Common Vetch, Crimson Clover, Crown Vetch, Dragon's Teeth, Dwarf Gorse, Dyer's Greenweed, False Acacia, Fine-leaved Vetch, Fodder Vetch, Garden Lupin, Garden Pea, Goat's Rue, Grass Vetchling, Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil, Hairy Bird's-foot Trefoil, Hairy Greenweed, Hairy Tare, Hairy Vetchling, Hairy-fruited Broom, Haresfoot Clover, Hop Trefoil, Horseshoe Vetch, Hungarian Vetch, Kidney Vetch, Knotted Clover, Large Trefoil, Lesser Trefoil, Lucerne, Marsh Pea, Meadow Vetchling, Narrow-leaved Bird's-foot Trefoil, Narrow-leaved Everlasting Pea, Narrow-leaved Vetch, Nootka Lupin, Norfolk Everlasting Pea, Orange Birdsfoot, Petty Whin, Purple Milk-vetch, Purple Oxytropis, Red Clover, Reversed Clover, Ribbed Melilot, Rough Clover, Russell Lupin, Sainfoin, Scorpion Senna, Scottish Laburnum, Sea Clover, Sea Pea, Sickle Medick, Slender Bird's-foot Trefoil, Slender Tare, Slender Trefoil, Small Melilot, Small Restharrow, Smooth Tare, Spanish Broom, Spanish Gorse, Spiny Restharrow, Spotted Medick, Spring Vetch, Strawberry Clover, Suffocated Clover, Sulphur Clover, Tall Melilot, Toothed Medick, Tree Lupin, Tuberous Pea, Tufted Vetch, Twin-headed Clover, Two-flowered Everlasting Pea, Upright Clover, Upright Vetch, Western Clover, Western Gorse, White Broom, White Clover, White Lupin, White Melilot, Wild Liquorice, Wood Vetch, Yellow Oxytropis, Yellow Vetch, Yellow Vetchling, Zigzag Clover

Type:

Deciduous shrub

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Maximum Size:

3 metres tall

Habitats:

Grassland, heathland, roadsides, wasteland, woodland.

Flower:

Yellow, 5 petals

Rich yellow, pea-like flowers scattered up the stem, up to 2cm wide and occasionally tinged red.

Fruit:

Flattened brownish-black pods with hairy edges, up to 4cm long.

Leaves:

Deciduous. All leaves are minute. The leaves at the bottom of the branches are trefoil and along the stems they are lanceolate.

Aroma:

Flowers are vanilla-scented.

Other Names:

Besom, Broomtops, English Broom, European Broom, Green Broom, Irish Broom, Scotch Broom, Scot's Broom.

Frequency (UK):

Common

Black Broom

Hairy-fruited Broom

Spanish Broom

Summary

Cytisus scoparius, also known as the common broom or Scotch broom, is a species of flowering plant in the pea family (Fabaceae). It is native to western and central Europe, but has been introduced to other parts of the world, including North America and New Zealand, where it is often grown as an ornamental plant. The plant is an upright, deciduous shrub that grows to a height of up to 2 meters. It has narrow, dark green leaves and bright yellow flowers that bloom in the spring. C. scoparius is known for its ability to tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, including dry, rocky soil, and is often used to stabilize slopes and control erosion. However, it can be invasive in some areas and has the potential to displace native vegetation.

Blog

Common Broom, also known as Cytisus scoparius, is a species of flowering plant native to Europe, North Africa and western Asia. It is a hardy, fast-growing shrub that can reach heights of up to 6 feet.

Broom is known for its bright yellow flowers that bloom in spring and early summer, attracting bees and other pollinators. The leaves are evergreen, small, and needle-like, providing a nice green backdrop to the yellow flowers.

The plant has been introduced to other parts of the world, including North America and Australia, where it has become an invasive species. In these areas, Common Broom can outcompete native plants and cause harm to local ecosystems.

Despite its invasive nature, Common Broom is often used as an ornamental plant due to its attractive flowers and fast growth. It is also used for erosion control and as a source of firewood in some areas.

In traditional medicine, extracts from Common Broom have been used to treat various ailments such as coughs, headaches and skin irritations. However, the plant is also toxic to livestock and humans if consumed in large amounts.

In addition to its ornamental and medicinal uses, Common Broom has also been used for its potential as a biofuel. The plant's fast growth rate and ability to grow in challenging conditions make it an attractive option for producing bioenergy.

The wood from Common Broom is also dense and hard, making it a useful material for woodwork and construction. In some cultures, the plant has been used to make brooms, which is where it gets its common name.

Despite its many uses, Common Broom is considered a problem in many areas, particularly in areas where it has been introduced as an invasive species. The plant can form dense stands, outcompeting native vegetation and reducing biodiversity. It is also difficult to control once established, making it a challenge for land managers.

To mitigate the impact of Common Broom on native ecosystems, it is important to consider alternative options for ornamental plants, bioenergy production, and erosion control. In areas where Common Broom is already established, it is essential to implement effective management strategies to control its spread and reduce its impact.

Another interesting aspect of Common Broom is its relationship with fire. In its native range, the plant has evolved to withstand fire, and it can even benefit from fire by promoting seed germination. In areas where it has been introduced as an invasive species, however, fire can exacerbate its impact, allowing it to spread even more quickly.

To further control its spread, land managers often use a combination of physical removal and chemical control methods. Physical removal is effective in small populations, but it can be labor-intensive and may not be feasible in large stands. Chemical control methods, such as herbicides, can be more efficient in large stands, but they can also have unintended consequences on non-target species and the environment.

In addition, there are several biological control methods that have been tested for controlling Common Broom. One of the most promising methods is the use of the broom seed beetle, which feeds exclusively on the seeds of Common Broom and reduces its ability to reproduce. This method has shown great potential for controlling Common Broom in its introduced range.

In conclusion, Common Broom is a valuable plant with many uses, but it is also an invasive species that requires careful management to minimize its impact on local ecosystems. Understanding its relationship with fire, implementing effective control methods, and promoting alternative options can help ensure that its benefits can be enjoyed while minimizing its harm to the environment.