(Cytisus scoparius)
Family: Legume family (Fabaceae)
Native Range: Europe
Scotch broom is a perennial shrub with many angular branches. It has showy yellow flowers and is part of the pea family. It is native to Europe and was introduced to North America in the 1800s where is was widely planted on Cape Cod and the islands in the 1800s as a dune stabilizer. Its seeds disperse explosively and can be carried by the wind, making it a quick spreader.
Scotch broom is often found in coastal areas or man-made/disturbed habitats such as roadsides and agricultural fields. It can form dense patches that crowd out native species. It also produces toxic compounds that can be dangerous to cattle and horses in large quantities.
The yellow flowers have bilateral symmetry and there is one compound leaf per node along the plant stem. Scotch broom is a woody shrub and can grow up to 3.5 feet tall. The seed pods are about 1 inch long and flat, containing 5 to 8 seeds when they emerge in the late spring/early summer.
Scotch broom can be manually removed or treated with herbicide. A foliar spray of triclopyr during the growing season is thought to be most effective.
Sources and Links
Native Plant Trust
https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/cytisus/scoparius/
Washington Invasive Species Council
Oregon State University Extension
https://extension.oregonstate.edu/ask-extension/featured/how-get-rid-scotch-broom