Flax-leaf Broom - a weed (*Genista linifolia)

Other names: Montpellier Broom.

Native of the Mediterranean region.

Occurrence: A widespread and abundant weed. It readily and rapidly colonises cleared and partly cleared land.

Identification:

• it has clover-like (trifoliate) leaves with very narrow leaflets
• the leaflets are silvery
• it is a shrub growing to about 2 metres
• it has bright yellow pea flowers in spring.

It is, like Cape Broom, a troublesome environmental weed. Like Cape Broom it readily colonises disturbed ground, and produces an abundance of seed which may lie dormant for many years. Cape Broom and Flax-leaf Broom have small root systems and can readily be hand-pulled when small, particularly in moist soil.

It is a noxious weed and listed Restricted in central Victoria.

Photo 1,2: Flowers and the leaves with narrow leaflets.
3: Shrub. All: Castlemine.