Title: Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link

Scientific name:

Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link

Common name(s):

English broom, Scotch broom, broom, common broom



Source & more images (via ALA)

Habitat: Heaths and wastelands, often on steep slopes, in moderate to high rainfall areas of humid temperate regions, mainly on slightly acidic soils and never on chalks. It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions including low levels of phosphorus but responds readily to added phosphorus. Broom will invade heathland and heathy woodland, lowland grassland and grassy woodland, dry sclerophyll forest and woodland, damp and wet sclerophyll forest, riparian, alpine and sub alpine vegetation Carr et al (1992). Broom invades and persists in treeless vegetation such as subalpine grassland and cleared pastureland. It will not grow in heavily shaded or swampy places.

Distribution:



Original source via CABI


Invasiveness Assessment

ESTABLISHMENT


1. Germination requirements? “Seeds germinate in both autumn and spring” (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992 p. 470).

2. Establishment requirements? “Young plants survive even in 90% shade” (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992 p. 470).

3. How much disturbance is required? “Broom is found in grassland/woodland/open forest including a wide range of disturbed as well as undisturbed communities” (Hocking et al, 1998 p. 79).

GROWTH / COMPETITIVE


4. Life form? “Once established, English Broom fixes nitrogen in the soil” (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992 p. 471). Legume.

5. Allelopathic properties? Once established, English broom fixes nitrogen in the soil, which inhibits the growth of native species adapted to nutrient poor soils (McArthur, pers. Comm).

6. Tolerates herb pressure? Consumed by stock, (cattle, sheep, horses and goats), but not preferred (McArthur, pers. Comm).

7. Normal growth rate? “Competing strongly with native species”; “Once established it dominates the vegetation of an area, smothering quite large shrubs” (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992 p. 469 & 471).

8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc? “Tolerates frost, mature plants tolerate summer drought, mature plants generally killed by fire but may survive if intensity not great” (Blood, 2001 p.54-55).

REPRODUCTION


9. Reproductive system? "Reproducing by seed." (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992 p. 469).

10. Number of propagules produced? “9650 seeds per plant have been recorded” (Hocking et al, 1998 p. 81).

11. Propagule longevity? “Seeds remain dormant in the soil for at least 20 years” (Muyt, 2001 p. 175).

12. Reproductive period? “Plants are believed to live for about 10 to 15 years”. If lived for 15 years would produce seeds for > 10 years (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992 p. 470).

13. Time to reproductive maturity? “Plants do not flower until at least 2 years old” (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992 p. 470).

DISPERSAL


14. Number of mechanisms? See below for comment: also spread by machinery, animals, agricultural products and mud (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992 p. 471).

15. How far do they disperse? “Pods: open during summer, bursting open on hot days to eject the seeds several metres”. “Earthmoving equipment, including road graders are responsible for much spread” (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992 p. 470/471).


Impact Assessment

RECREATION


1. Restrict human access? “Dense stands seriously impede movement.” (Muyt, 2001).

2. Reduce tourism? “English broom is a devastating species capable of totally transforming invaded habitats. It simplifies the structure and diversity of the ground-flora…eventually preventing overstorey regeneration.” The weed would have a major impact on recreational activities (Muyt, 2001).

3. Injurious to people? The plant does not have spines or burrs, however, the seeds are poisonous if eaten in quantity (Blood, 2001).

4. Damage to cultural sites? The root system does not appear to be vigorous, however, the notable presence of the plant would have a moderate negative visual impact.

ABIOTIC


5. Impact flow? Terrestrial species. It will not grow in swampy places (Blood, 2001).

6. Impact water quality? Terrestrial species (Blood, 2001).

7. Increase soil erosion? The plant provides dense coverage, and it has been planted to stabilise sand dunes and to bind soil in road cuttings or following fire. It would not contribute to soil erosion (Panetta et al, 1998).

8. Reduce biomass? “It simplifies the structure and diversity of the ground flora, and crowds or shades out shrubs and tree seedlings, eventually preventing overstorey regeneration.” Broom infestations left undisturbed can prevent the reestablishment of overstorey eucalypts (Muyt, 2001; Panetta et al, 1998).

9. Change fire regime? “English broom…burns with intense heat.” Once established it makes the native vegetation much more susceptible to fire because of its flammability and the intense heat with which it burns (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

COMMUNITY HABITAT


10(a) Impact on composition of high value EVC? EVC=Sub-alpine grassland (V); CMA=East Gippsland; Bioreg=East Gippsland Uplands; VH CLIMATE potential. “Once established, [it]…dominates the vegetation of an area, smothering quite large shrubs and preventing re-establishment of native species.” Fixes nitrogen. Major displacement of dominant species within different strata (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

10(b) Impact on medium value EVC? EVC=Grassy woodland (D); CMA=East Gippsland; Bioreg=East Gippsland Uplands; VH CLIMATE potential. Impact as in 10(a) above (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

10(c) Impact on low value EVC? EVC=Sub-alpine woodland (LC); CMA=East Gippsland; Bioreg=East Gippsland Uplands; VH CLIMATE potential. Impact as in 10(a) above (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

11. Impact on structure? “It simplifies the structure and diversity of the ground-flora, and crowds or shade out shrubs and tree seedlings.” Major effects lower and mid strata (Muyt, 2001).

12. Effect on threatened flora? Threatens ANZECC rated rare or threatened native plant species (Groves et al, 2003).

FAUNA


13. Effect on threatened fauna?

14. Effect on non-threatened fauna? Habitat is significantly reduced. C. scoparius infestations dominate ground-flora and can prevent access to water (Muyt, 2001).

15. Benefits fauna? The seed is spread by a number of animals (ants, cattle, horses and pigs), and seedlings have been found growing along wallaby tracks. Possible minor food source for native fauna (Panetta et al, 1998).

16. Injurious to fauna? “The seeds are thought to be poisonous if eaten in quantity.” (Blood, 2001).

PEST ANIMAL


17. Food source to pests? Possible food source to pest animals such as birds or ants (Blood, 2001)

18. Provides harbor? It provides harbor for pest animals including feral pigs and blackbirds (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001; Panetta et al, 1998).

AGRICULTURE


19. Impact yield? Although a significant weed of natural ecosystems it is also a serious weed in orchards and pastures in some areas. “It establishes very rapidly after forests are harvested and out-competes naturally regenerating as well as planted species.” In forestry situations it is likely to have a serious impact on yield (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001; Panetta et al, 1998).

20. Impact quality? Not known to affect the quality of produce.

21. Affect land values? “Eliminating English broom infestations can take several years due to the large number of long-lived seeds that accumulate in the soil.” Attempted broom control in pasture areas in the Barrington Tops and elsewhere have proved expensive and largely ineffective. Presence of the plant is likely to reduce land value (Muyt, 2001; Panetta et al, 1998).

22. Change land use? Presence of the plant may dictate a temporary change in land use. “Dense patches have been eliminated by bulldozing and repeated disc cultivations over 2 years.” (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

23. Increase harvest costs? Not known to affect harvest costs.

24. Disease host/vector? None evident.




Feedback:

Do you have additional information about this plant that will improve the quality of the assessment? If so, we would value your contribution.


Assessment ratings originally made by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.
The entry of this assessment was made possible through the generous support of The Weed's Network.






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Categories: :wra:c, :wra:inv1, :wra:invmh, :wra:inv2, :wra:inv3, :wra:invh, :wra:inv4, :wra:inv5, :wra:inv6, :wra:inv7, :wra:inv8, :wra:inv9, :wra:invml, :wra:inv10, :wra:inv11, :wra:inv12, :wra:inv13, :wra:inv14, :wra:inv15, :wra:imp1, :wra:imph, :wra:imp2, :wra:imp3, :wra:imp4, :wra:impml, :wra:imp5, :wra:impl, :wra:imp6, :wra:imp7, :wra:imp8, :wra:imp9, :wra:imp10a, :wra:impmh, :wra:imp10b, :wra:imp10c, :wra:imp11, :wra:imp12, :wra:imp13, :wra:impm, :wra:imp14, :wra:imp15, :wra:imp16, :wra:imp17, :wra:imp18, :wra:imp19, :wra:imp20, :wra:imp21, :wra:imp22, :wra:imp23, :wra:imp24
Date: 19 October 2009; 12:13:16 PM AEDT

Author Name: Jessica Mackay
Author ID: mackayj