French broom
(Genista monspessulana)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Appearance
Genista monspessulana is a perennial leafy leguminous shrub that grows up to 9.8 ft. (3 m) tall. The main stem is grey and hairless.
Foliage
Leaves are alternate, three-foliate, and petiolate 0.08-0.16 in. (2-4 mm) long. Leaflets are elliptic to obovate, often with a short point.
Flowers
Flowers are pedicellate and arranged in a series of lateral racemes of 3 to 7 flowers on indeterminate axillary branches. Pedicels are 0.06-0.12 in. (1.5-3 mm). The standard flower is 0.39-0.51 in. (10-13 mm). Flowers in late winter-spring to late summer-autumn.
Fruit
Fruit pods are densely hairy, ovoid to oblong, 0.6-1 in. (1.5-2.5 cm) long, 0.12-0.2 in. (3-5 mm) wide with 3 to 6 seeds released explosively when ripe. Seeds are strophiolate.
Ecological Threat
Genista monspessulana can be found in coastal plains, mountain slopes, riverbanks, road cuts, forest clear-cuts, grassland, and open canopy forest on a wide range of soil types. It is native to the Mediterranean region.
Citations
Winston, R.L., Andreas, J.E., Milan, J., DesCamp, W., Randell, C.B., and M. Schwarzländer. 2014. New Invaders of the Northwest. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2014-12. Retrieved from https://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/technology/pdfs/FHTET-2014-12_NW_New_Invaders.pdf
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- California Invasive Plant Council
- California Noxious Weeds
- Hawaii Noxious Weeds
- Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
- John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
- Native Plant Society of Oregon, 2008
- New Invaders of the Northwest
- Oregon Noxious Weeds
- Pacific Northwest Exotic Pest Plant Council, 1998
- Reichard, Sarah. 1994. Assessing the potential of invasiveness in woody plants introduced in North America. University of Washington Ph.D. dissertation.
- Washington Noxious Weeds
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Rosanae |
| Order: Fabales |
| Family: Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: Faboideae |
| Tribe: Genisteae |
| Genus: Genista |
| Genista monspessulana |
Synonyms and Other Names
Other Common Names:
Cape broom, Montpellier broom
Related Scientific Names:
Cytisus monspessulanus L. (Synonym)
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.