Skamania County Noxious Weed Program

The saying goes that April showers bring May flowers. But April’s NWotM is one plant you wish would never bloom: Scotch broom! 🧹🟡🚫

Scotch broom, or Cytisus scoparius, is a shrubby member of the legume family native to Europe. While originally brought to the US as an ornamental and for erosion control, it has since escaped and established itself along both the West and East coasts. This plant can be identified by its ‘broom’ like appearance, trifoliate leaves, pea-like seed pods and bright yellow flowers.

Scotch broom reaches maturity on its second year of growth, can produce up to 10,000 seeds a year, and can live for up to 25 years! Combine this with the hardiness of its seeds-which can remain dormant from anywhere between 10-80 years-and you’ve got one tough, quick-spreading invader!

Luckily for anyone battling this yellow-flowered menace there is hope. Smaller plants can be pulled by hand before they flower, and larger plants can be removed using a w**d wrench or treated with herbicide. Prevention, as always, is key, so it is important to check known-locations yearly.

Remember this spring to do your part in keeping Skamania Wild. Help us sweep Scotch broom away! 👋🧹
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