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Taxon  Report  
Genista monspessulana  (L.) L. A. S. Johnson
French broom
Genista monspessulana is a shrub that is not native to California.
Cal-IPC rating: high
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Observation Search
~27798 records in California
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Bloom Period
Genus: Genista
Family: Fabaceae  
Category: angiosperm  
PLANTS group:Dicot
Jepson eFlora section: eudicot

Name Status:
Accepted by JEF + PLANTS

Alternate Names:
JEF + PLANTSCytisus monspessulanus
PLANTSTeline monspessulana
Information about  Genista monspessulana from other sources

[Cal-IPC] Invasive: Genista monspessulana (French broom) is a perennial shrub (family Fabaceae) found in the Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada foothills, Transverse Ranges, Channel Islands and San Francisco Bay area. French broom was introduced as a landscape ornamental, along with Scotch and Spanish broom. French broom is an aggressive invader, forming dense stands that exclude native plants and wildlife. Broom is unpalatable to most livestock except goats, so it decreases rangeland value while increasing fire hazards. These leguminous plants produce copious amounts of seed, and may resprout from the root crown if cut or grazed. Cal-IPC Rating: High (contributed by Mary Ann Machi)

[Wikipedia] Mediterranean native, Invasive, Noxious Weed: Genista monspessulana, commonly known as French broom, Montpellier broom,[1] or Cape broom (Australia), is a woody leguminous perennial shrub. The yellow-flowering bush is native to the Mediterranean region, and while it may still be commonly sold in some garden stores, it is considered an invasive plant in most places where it has been introduced.[2] It is a noxious weed on the western coast of the US and in parts of Australia. (contributed by Mary Ann Machi)


Suggested Citation
Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals. [web application]. 2024. Berkeley, California: The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: https://www.calflora.org/   (Accessed: 04/26/2024).