Family: Fabaceae Form: Shrub / Tree Origin: Native to Europe, Mediterranean to Western Asia Weed Type(s): Weed, Naturalised, Environmental Weed

Genista monspessulana photo. C. Wilson

Notes: Both genera Cytisus and Genista are similar in appearance and have the same common name. Genista contains 90 species of shrubs or small trees often deciduous or appearing evergreen due to green flattened branches. They are sometimes spiny. Pea-like yellow flowers are carried in dense heads. Seeds which are poisonous are borne in pods. The seeds may live for years in the soil germinating densely after fire.

One of the most common species is Montpellier broom, Genista monspessulana, an evergreen shrub to about 3000m high. Each pod contains about six black seeds which are shed explosively over one or two metres from the parent plant. Montpellier broom has an extensive root system which enables it to withstand drought.

Montpellier broom is believed to have been introduced to Australia in the 19th century and has since become naturalised in NSW, Victoria, south west Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania and the ACT where it occurs along roadsides and in the hills behind Canberra.

Brooms are still sold in nurseries and markets.

References:

Randall, R. P. (2002). A Global Compendium of Weeds. R. G. & F.J. Richardson, Melbourne.
Csurhes, S. and Edwards, R. (1998). Potential Environmental Weeds in Australia. National Weeds Program, Environment Australia, Canberra.
Royal Horticultural Society (1992). Dictionary of Gardening. The Macmillan Press Limited, London.
Blood, K. (2001). Environmental Weeds. A Field Guide for S E Australia, C. H. Jerram & Associates-Science Publishers, Mt Waverley Victoria.
Berry, S and Mulvaney, M. (1995). An Environmental Weed Survey of the Australian Capital Territory. Report prepared for the Conservation Council of the South-east Region and Canberra, Conservation Council of the South-east Region and Canberra, Canberra.