Broom

About this weed

Broom is another garden escapee that originated in northern Africa and southern Europe. This perennial shrub grows to 5 metres high and is easily distinguished by its trifoliolate leaves and yellow pea shaped flowers.

Description

Broom is an upright shrub growing to 5 m high with bright green trifoliolate, petiolate leaves. It has drooping branches and produces bright yellow pea shaped flowers from August to November. Seeds are poisonous to humans and livestock. Adult plants may respout following fire. Fire also stimulates germination of soil-stored seed.

Impact on Bushland

If left will spread over bushland and impact on plant communities. Fixes nitrogen and increases soil fertility. Can also increase frequency and intensity of fire.

Location

Occurs on the Swan Coastal Plain and through various areas in the South-West Province. This weed prefers loam, lateritic sand and black peaty sand and is mainly found on river edges and roadsides.

Priority for removal

High: major threat to the conservation values of Banksia woodlands and South-West Province.

Management (hand)

Hand pull or dig out small seedlings ensuring removal of all roots.

Management (herbicide)

For mature plants cut and paint with 50% glyphosate or try basal bark with 250 ml Access in 15 L of diesel. Monitor site for recruitment from seedbank. Read the manufacturers’ labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. Optimum time to spray is June through to November.

Flowering month/s

August, September, October, November

Flower colour/s

Yellow

Information source

https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/18143

Additional information

https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/weeds/swanweeds/

Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. and Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia, Second Edition, The Weeds Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park, Western Australia.

Broom images