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Scotch Broom

Cytisus scoparius

Scotch Broom is a bright yellow flowering shrub that loves to grow in sunny places. It has long, green stems and can grow quite tall, making it a cheerful sight in gardens and fields.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Scotch Broom has vibrant, pea-like yellow flowers clustered along its upright, green, angular stems. Its slender, wiry branches make it look quite distinct from other shrubs, often forming dense, bushy patches.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusCytisus

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

5

Interesting facts

Its tiny seeds can stay hidden in the soil for 80 years before sprouting!

On a warm day, its seed pods make snapping sounds as they burst open to spread seeds!

Scotch Broom was brought to new places as a garden plant, but it got too wild!

Some old-fashioned brooms for sweeping were actually made from its flexible stems!

Special abilities

Ability

Soil Power-Up

Scotch Broom can enrich soil by pulling nitrogen from the air with special root bacteria, helping it grow in poor ground.

Ability

Explosive Seeds

Scotch Broom has seed pods that pop open forcefully, flinging seeds several meters away to spread easily.

Ability

Drought Buster

Scotch Broom has tough, waxy stems and a deep root system that helps it survive in very dry, sunny places.

Measurements & details

Height
100-300 cm
Spread
100-200 cm
Flower Size
1-2.5 cm
Bloom Season
Spring to early summer
Edible
No
Toxicity
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

Pollinates

Red-tailed bumblebee

Bombus lapidarius

A frequent visitor for nectar and pollen.

Eats

Broom leaf beetle

Chrysolina quadrigemina

Larvae and adults feed on leaves and stems.

Eats

Genista broom moth

Uresiphita reversalis

Its caterpillars consume the foliage and stems.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

While Scotch Broom is pretty, it's best to look and not touch, as some parts can be prickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Scotch Broom?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is Scotch Broom?

100-300 cm

How wide does Scotch Broom spread?

100-200 cm

How big are the flowers on Scotch Broom?

1-2.5 cm

When does Scotch Broom bloom?

Spring to early summer

Is Scotch Broom edible?

No

Is Scotch Broom toxic?

Moderate

What is Scotch Broom's lifecycle?

Perennial

Snap Map

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