Weeds in Australia

Publications and resources

White Spanish broom (Cytisus multiflorus) weed management guide

Alert List for Environmental Weeds
Department of the Environment and Heritage and the CRC for Australian Weed Management, 2003
ISBN 1 9209 3223 2

PDF file

About the guide

White Spanish broom is on the Alert List for Environmental Weeds, a list of 28 non-native plants that threaten biodiversity and cause other environmental damage. Although only in the early stages of establishment, these weeds have the potential to seriously degrade Australia's ecosystems.

White Spanish broom is a serious environmental weed in Victoria and is targeted for eradication. Like all brooms, it invades a wide range of fertile soils where it can fix nitrogen and form a dense scrub layer that outcompetes native species. Dense broom stands shade out native herbaceous groundcover plants and eucalypt seedlings. It also provides shelter for feral animals and its seeds are poisonous. In pastures white Spanish broom forms thickets that prevent grazing and restrict access to water.

There is concern that white Spanish broom could hybridise with its close relative common broom (C. scoparius), another major environmental weed, and form hybrids that are even more troublesome than the parent plants.

Cover of White Spanish broom (Cytisus multiflorus) - Alert List for Environmental Weeds - Weed Management Guide

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