Portuguese Broom
Cytisus striatus
Description
A perennial evergreen shrub that grows three to 10-feet tall. The many stems are sparsely covered with dark green leaves, with the leaves becoming numerous toward the end of the stem. In the spring, it bears pale-yellow pea-like flowers. It's similar to Scotch broom, except fruit pods are inflated and hairy all over, giving the appearance of pussy willow buds, and flowers are paler. The stems are also more silvery than that of Scotch broom, yet hard to distinguish until the leaves and flowers fall off.Habitat
Savannahs, scrubs, open forestsDistribution
Douglas and Lane Counties, OregonImpacts
Out-competes desirable commercial timber speciesDispersal Methods
Ballistic dispersal, ants, animals, rain wash on open ground, mud clinging to road grading or maintenance machineryPrevention
Look for Portuguese broom in savannah, scrub, and open forests. Prevent seed dispersal into uninvaded areas by removing those individuals more widely dispersed from the main population center. Focus on preventing seed set and dispersal from all mature individuals each season so that no net increase in the seedbank can occur.Listings
ODA's B List, OISC 100 Most Dangerous InvadersFactsheets
Photos
Distribution Map
Other Links
Species Profile from the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Noxious Weed Control Program