Synonyms: Cytisus monpsessulana, C. racemosus, C. canariensis, Gensita monspessulana, Teline monspessulana
Common names: French broom; soft broom; canary broom; Montepellier broom
Genista monspessulana (French broom) is a perennial shrub (family Fabaceae) found in the Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada foothills, Transverse Ranges, Channel Islands and San Francisco Bay area. French broom was introduced as a landscape ornamental, along with Scotch and Spanish broom. French broom is an aggressive invader, forming dense stands that exclude native plants and wildlife. 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: High
Date:Thursday, April 30, 2026District:05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa…
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Learn to love it…I guess. Along with pampas grass and cape ivy. The new flora. Many residents make no effort to uproot it. In some cases even favor the broom.
Simply driving thru invasive plants will spread them.
Likely much too late to do anything about it. Sad.
Like so many of us invasive species.
I'm seeing a thistle explosion this year, too - another noxious invasive.
I'm sorry you have Genista or Genesta, but, oh gosh, be SO glad you have neither Scotch Broom or much, much worse, Gorse, which we have on the Mendocino coast.
Gowan at Fortunate Farm has done a ton of work getting rid of gorse up here. Talk to her if you’re having a problem, Micaela.
It’s was growing rapid in Cambria. Everyone had to get rid of it on their property . It sure helped.
Add Canadian Thistle, Beggar's Ticks, German Ivy (from San Carpoforo) and , of course,Pampas Grass