French broom (Genista monspessulana), also known as Montpellier broom, is a highly invasive plant species that has become a significant concern in California’s ecosystem management. Originating from the Mediterranean region, French broom was introduced to California in the mid-19th century as an ornamental plant and for erosion control. However, its rapid spread and aggressive nature have led to its classification as a noxious weed in the state.
One of the most alarming aspects of French broom’s invasiveness is its ability to outcompete native vegetation, forming dense monocultures that dominate landscapes. This not only reduces biodiversity but also disrupts ecosystem functions by altering soil composition and nutrient cycling. As a leguminous plant, French broom has the capability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, which can further contribute to its competitive advantage over native species.
Moreover, French broom poses a significant fire hazard, particularly in California’s fire-prone landscapes. The plant’s dry, highly flammable foliage and stems can serve as potent fuel for wildfires, exacerbating the intensity and spread of flames. Additionally, its ability to regenerate quickly after fire further compounds the problem, creating conditions for recurrent and more severe wildfires.
This very pretty plant that I’m sure almost all of you know is French Brom many people call it Scotch Brom but this one comes from around the Mediterranean so it’s the French type whose scientific name is janista mons balana but you don’t have to know that
To know that it is a serious fire hazard if it forms a you don’t see thickets in this particular place because for about 15 years there’s been a very large volunteer effort to keep the elero hillside dashal area from burning down by removing these thickets but broom
Seeds last a long time in the soil so they sprout for we don’t know how long but more than 20 years so in a place like this we have to keep an eye out sometimes you can wait two years but then you have to be sure that they don’t
Get large enough which can be sometimes their first year to bloom like this and set C these are a member of the P family if you know flowers you can see it’s a p-shaped family and I’ve tried to point out that there’s no such thing as a bad
Plant uh members of the PE family enrich the soil because they have nodules on their roots that can fix nitrogen from the air now it happens that we don’t really want richer soil because it tends to be better for non-natives that that were brought from farms and gardens than for our native
Plants but still you should know that this is you know there is again no such thing as a bad plant the plant PLS all want to live just as we do uh but here it’s a plant out of place a weed is a plant out of place when this volunteer effort began
There were very large stands comparable to the way the katoni aster is now they’ve been successfully pretty much removed and it’s huge fun to bring a weed wrench out and it’s a big lever with jaws you plant the Jaws on the bottom of that plant which could be
Three times the size of this one you pull down on the handle or push down on the handle and you pull out the huge root it’s very empowering