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French broom (Genista monspessulana (L.) L.Johnson)
ODA rating: B and T
Description
Perennial; blooms April to June. Grows three to ten feet tall. Evergreen shrub similar to Scotch broom except plants do not grow as erect, leaves are retained the entire year, leaves trifoliate and more numerous, and yellow flowers smaller.
Impacts
This plant, an aggressive pioneer species, takes advantage of land disturbances to establish and spread. In California, large infestations displace native plant species and significantly increase the costs of reforestation in commercial timberlands. During the dry summer months, thick stands create a severe fire hazard by providing an avenue for ground fire to reach into forest canopies and spread. Annual costs for right-of-way maintenance on roadways, powerlines, and private property reach millions of dollars a year because of the persistant nature of this species. The brooms are also unpalatable to most livestock, and anecdotal evidence indicates that they may be slightly toxic.
Click on image to view larger photo.
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 Images courtesy of Ken French, Oregon Dept. of Agriculture
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If images are downloaded and used from the ODA web site please be sure to credit the photographer.
Distribution in Oregon
First documented site in Oregon was 1924 in Curry County.
Map legend
Yellow: limited distribution
Red: abundant
Grey: not known to be present
Biological controls
Bruchidius villosus
Informational links
WeedMapper
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