Cape Broom

(GENISTA MONSPESSULANA)

STATUS:     Regionally Controlled Weed
STEMS:     Erect woody and ridged. Finely hairy; one main stem with many branches.
LEAVES:     Shortly stalked and made up of three leaflets which are hairy underneath
FLOWERS:     Bright yellow, pea like, about 1.2cm long, shortly stalked, occurring singly or in clusters of up to nine in leaf axils. Appearing in late winter through spring.
FRUIT:     A brown or black flat silky pod containing five to eight seeds.
SEED:     Dark brown to black, rounded and flattened, 2mm diameter, smooth and shiny.
INVADES:     Forests, neglected areas, roadsides and watercourses.
DISPERSAL:     Vegetatively, machinery and soil disturbance.
CONTROL:     It will take at least five years to get rid of broom. Seed can stay in the ground for 30 years but burning can germinate the seed.  BBRLG recommends hand-pulling small plants. Spray broom with a cocktail of Brush Off as directed, but also add 10ml per litre of Round Up.  Mowing can be good, as long it is before the plant seeds.