Erect, multi-stemmed, evergreen, perennial shrub < 3 m tall. Stems are ridged, green and hairy when young. Leaves are trifoliate, narrow, oval and hairy. Flowers are yellow, pea-like and borne in clusters in May – November. Seed pods are brown/black and hairy.
To help protect our environment:
Grasslands, shrublands, open forest, forest margins, riparian areas, disturbed areas, roadsides, pastures, plantations, wastelands.
Seeds dispersed by explosive dehiscence and contaminated soil on animals. Human-mediated dispersal through dumping of garden waste and contamination of machinery and vehicles.
Forms dense thickets, outcompeting native vegetation and altering species composition. Facilitates invasive animals and weeds. Nitrogen fixer. Reduces pasture grazing capacity and impedes stock movement. Poisonous to stock. Reduces plantation productivity.
Minimise creating soil disturbance where seeds can germinate and re-establish. Follow up treated areas 3 times per year. Encourage natural regeneration of native plants or replant treated areas where possible after 2-3 treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.
CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.
Wild broom has larger flowers which are usually solitary on a stem. It appears to have less leaves than Montpellier broom and its branchlets are glabrous in comparison to soft fine hairs present on Montpellier broom.
Spiny broom has large spines scattered across the branches. Flowers are usually solitary rather than in clusters.
