Cytisus scoparius

Species

Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) is a long-lived, deciduous shrub that is native to Eurasia. It was introduced to New Zealand as an ornamental plant, for shelter and erosion control, and was first recorded in the wild (naturalised) in 1872. The plant grows up to about 4 metres tall and has green, ridged stems and small leaves made up of three leaflets, although leaves on older stems are often reduced to a single leaflet. It flowers from September to November, producing bright yellow, pea-like flowers, which develop into black seed pods. The pods split open when mature, ejecting the seeds. It tolerates drought, frost and poor soils. It reproduces by seed. Seeds are dispersed by explosive release from the pods, water, animals and human activities. Seeds can remain viable in the soil for many years.

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