Spanish broom is an erect, green-stemmed, almost leafless shrub growing to as tall as 9'.  This is an introduced species and is the only species in its genus in California.  The alternate to subopposite leaves are few, and when present are simple, entire-margined and small, from 1/2" to 1" long.  They are linear-lanceolate in shape, glabrous on the upper surface and appressed-hairy below.  The bright yellow flowers are large and showy in long open terminal racemes, papilionaceous, fragrant with petals 3/4" to 1" long.  The calyx is split above almost to the base with five minute teeth.  There are ten stamens with filaments fused around the pistil.  The fruit is a linear pod 2" to 4" long, dehisecent and many-seeded, and ± strigose.  Spanish broom is common and has been naturalized in dry and disturbed areas from the coast to the mountains, and along trails and roads.  It is a native of the Mediterranean region and blooms from April to June.  See French broom for comparison.

Click here for Latin name derivations: 1) Spartium 2) junceum.
Pronunciation: SPAR-tee-um JUN-see-um.
Click here for Botanical Term Meanings.