Scotch broom is a perennial, woody, deciduous shrub that can reach up to 8’ tall. It has bright-yellow to red pea-like flowers that bloom from March to May, forming ¾”–2”-long pea-like seedpods with hairy margins. Common along roadways, disturbed sites, and habitat edges throughout Mendocino County.

Size: 4–8’ tall, up to 10’ wide

Stem: 5-angled (star-shaped in cross-section), glabrous

Foliage: deciduous, sparse leaflets of 1–3 leaves, each less than 1” long

Flowers: bright-yellow to red pea-like flowers, 1–2 per cluster; blooms March–May

Fruit: pea-like seedpods ¾” – 2” long, darkened when mature, hairy only on margins

Learn more about Scotch broom from the California Invasive Plant Council