Scotch Broom

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
• 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
• flowers bright yellow in axils of leaves in May-June--very showy; formed on previous season’s wood
• may not be long-lived; prefers full sun to part shade, sandy, well-drained soils
• has become invasive in western states, Canada, New Zealand