In New Zealand, broom is estimated to cost the forestry industry NZ$90 million, and to cost farmers an additional NZ$10 million in losses.

It is estimated that broom is responsible for US$47 million in lost timber production each year in Oregon state. The prolific growth of the plants after timber harvest or wildfire events clearly inhibits reforestation efforts, the sprouts competing with native plant seedlings and trees. These shrubs are sometimes utilized for civic and public landscaping projects in the American west due to their hardiness, and will seasonally reseed themselves, growing in disturbed areas, and along utility and transportation rights-of-way. Ecology As an invasive species Broom is an invasive species in North America.Ĭytisus scoparius has been introduced into several other countries and continents, outside of its native range, and is commonly classified as a noxious invasive species in western North America, mainly in British Columbia (including on Vancouver Island), California, Oregon, Washington (west of the Cascades), the Sierra Nevada range, fragmented areas of North America's eastern seaboard, as well as Australia (where it is a declared weed), New Zealand, and in India. Outside of its native range, it is an ecologically destructive colonizing invasive species in grassland, shrub and woodland, and other habitats. It is found in sunny sites, usually on dry, sandy soils at low altitudes, tolerating very acidic soil conditions. maritimus (Rouy) Heywood - Western European maritime cliffs and associated environments differs with prostrate growth not over 0.4 m tall downy young shoots.Ĭytisus scoparius is native to western and central Europe, being common in Great Britain and Ireland. scoparius - throughout the species' range. The two subspecies of Cytisus scoparius are: The characteristic constituents are biogenic amines (mostly tyramine in the young shoots), flavonoids ( spiraeoside and scoparoside), isoflavones and their glycosides ( genistin), as well as allelopathic quinolizidine alkaloids (mostly sparteine, lupanine, scoparin and hydroxy-derivatives), which defend the plant against insect infestation and herbivores (with the exception of the resistant aphid species Aphis cytisorum).

One of the main alkaloids of this plant is cytisine. Ī legume, this shrub can fix nitrogen in the soil through a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria. C. scoparius contains toxic alkaloids that depress the heart and nervous system. The seeds, seedlings, and young shoots are sensitive to frost adult plants are hardier, and branches affected by freezing temperatures regenerate quickly. It also adapts to windy oceanic climates. This species is adapted to Mediterranean and coastal climates, and its range is limited by cold winter temperatures. In late summer, its legumes ( seed pods) mature black, 2–3 cm ( 3⁄ 4– 1 + 1⁄ 4 in) long, 8 mm ( 3⁄ 8 in) broad and 2–3 mm thick they burst open, often with an audible crack, forcibly throwing seed from the parent plant. The seed pods have long hairs only along their seams. Flowering occurs after 50–80 growing degree days. The shrubs have green shoots with small deciduous trifoliate leaves 5–15 millimetres ( 1⁄ 4– 5⁄ 8 in) long, and in spring and summer are covered in profuse golden yellow flowers 20–30 mm ( 3⁄ 4– 1 + 1⁄ 8 in) from top to bottom and 15–20 mm wide. scoparius typically grow to 1–3 metres ( 3 + 1⁄ 2–10 feet) tall, rarely to 4 m (13 ft), with main stems up to 5 centimetres (2 inches) thick, rarely 10 cm (4 in). scoparius from Köhler's Medicinal Plants (1887) In other English-speaking countries, the most common name is 'Scotch broom' (or Scots broom) however, it is known as English broom in Australia. In Britain and Ireland, the standard name is broom this name is also used for other members of the Genisteae tribe, such as French broom or Spanish broom and the term common broom is sometimes used for clarification. Sarothamnus scoparius), the common broom or Scotch broom, is a deciduous leguminous shrub native to western and central Europe.

Scotch broom pictures