Appearance
Plants of "Cytisus scoparius" typically grow to 1–3 m tall, rarely to 4 m, with main stems up to 5 cm thick, rarely 10 cm. The shrubs have green shoots with small deciduous trifoliate leaves 5–15 mm long, and in spring and summer is covered in profuse golden yellow flowers 20–30 mm from top to bottom and 15–20 mm wide. Flowering occurs after 50-80 growing degree days. In late summer, its legumes mature black, 2–3 cm long, 8 mm broad and 2–3 mm thick; they burst open, often with an audible crack, forcibly throwing seed from the parent plant. This is the hardiest species of broom, tolerating temperatures down to about −25 °C. "C. scoparius" contains toxic alkaloids that depress the heart and nervous system.
Naming
"C. scoparius" has been introduced into several other continents outside its native range and is classified as a noxious invasive species in California and the Pacific Northwest in North America, and in Australia, New Zealand and India. These shrubs commonly grow in disturbed areas and along utility and transportation rights-of-way. The prolific growth of this species after timber harvest inhibits reforestation by competing with seedling trees. It is estimated that it is responsible for US$47 million in lost timber production each year in Oregon. In New Zealand, broom is estimated to cost the forestry industry NZ$90 million, and to cost farmers NZ$10 million.Biological control for broom has been investigated since the mid-1980s with a number of species being trialled. They include the broom twig miner, the broom seed beetle, the broom gall mite, the sap-sucking broom psyllid and recently the broom leaf beetle and the broom shoot moth.
Distribution
"Cytisus scoparius" is found in sunny sites, usually on dry, sandy soils at low altitudes. In some places outside of its native range, such as India, South America and western North America, it has become an ecologically destructive colonizing invasive species in grassland, shrub and woodland, and other habitats.As a legume, this shrub can fix nitrogen in the soil through a symbiotic relationship with "Rhizobium" bacteria.
Habitat
"Cytisus scoparius" is found in sunny sites, usually on dry, sandy soils at low altitudes. In some places outside of its native range, such as India, South America and western North America, it has become an ecologically destructive colonizing invasive species in grassland, shrub and woodland, and other habitats.As a legume, this shrub can fix nitrogen in the soil through a symbiotic relationship with "Rhizobium" bacteria.
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