Portuguese broom is a perennial, woody, deciduous shrub that can grow up to 9’ tall. It has bright-yellow pea-like flowers that bloom from May to August, forming plump pea-like seedpods covered in hair. Found along coastal scrubs, grasslands, and disturbed sites. It has not yet been found in Mendocino County, but is known to be in Sonoma County.

Size: 6’–9’ tall, up to 10’ wide

Stem: slender, with 8–10 ribs; appears round in cross-section

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

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

Fruit: pea-like seedpods are plump and densely covered in fine hairs

Learn more about Portuguese broom from the California Invasive Plant Council