Cytisus striatus

Cytisus striatus_Portuguese broom_JM DiTomaso
Photo: Joseph DiTomaso

Synonyms: Cytisus patens L., Cytisus pendulinus, Cytisus welwitschii, Genista striata, Sarthamnus eriocarpus, Sarothamnus patens sensu Webb

Common names: Portuguese broom; hairy-fruited broom

Cytisus striatus (Portuguese broom) is a perennial shrub (family Fabaceae) found in the San Francisco Bay region, Peninsular Ranges and south coast of California. It is commonly found in coastal scrub and grasslands, where it is expected to continue to expand its range. Portuguese broom was introduced as a landscape ornamental, and is often confused with Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius). 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: Moderate?

CDFA Rating: B?

Assessment(s)

Plant Assessment Form - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.

Species ID Card

Invasive Species ID Card - To support field identification of early detection species, Cal-IPC has designed a set of Species ID cards that can be downloaded, printed double-sided, and trimmed to size.

Weed Management Notes

No Weed RIC Management Notes are available for this species. Check for information on other species in the genus on the Weed RIC site.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

Other Cytisus striatus Information

  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
  • CalWeedMapper - Distribution map of this species in California with ability to determine regional priorities.
  • EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
  • Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
  • USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
  • Additional photos

    Cytisus striatus_seed pods and stem_ZoyaAkulova
    Cytisus striatus (Portuguese broom) seed pods and stem. Photo: Zoya Akulova
    Cytisus striatus_seeds_ZoyaAkulova
    Cytisus striatus (Portuguese broom) seeds. Photo: Zoya Akulova
    Cytisus striatus_stems_EricWrubel
    Cytisus striatus (Portuguese broom) stems. Photo: Eric Wrubel
    Cytisus striatus_growth habit_EricWrubel
    Cytisus striatus (Portuguese broom) growth habit. Photo: Eric Wrubel
    Cytisus striatus_flowers_VernonSmith
    Cytisus striatus (Portuguese broom) flowers. Photo: Vernon Smith