Spartium junceum L.

Title: Spartium junceum L.

Scientific Name:

Spartium junceum L.

Common Names: Spanish broom

Source & more images (via ALA)

Habitat: It is common in disturbed places particularly along riverbanks, roadsides and trails, and abandoned or disturbed land. Within its native range in the Mediterranean area, it occurs as part of a mixed community of stunted, tangled bushes and shrubs in seasonally arid regions, (known as maquis).

Distribution:

Original source via CABI

Invasiveness Assessment

ESTABLISHMENT

1. Germination requirements? "Seeds germinate readily without any pretreatment, but scarification gives greater germination results." (Hoshovsky, 1986). "Spanish broom rapidly colonizes disturbed habitats." (California Invasive Plant Council, n.d.). Requires natural seasonal disturbance, though human disturbance may stimulate germination .

2. Establishment requirements? As a weed in California, it occurs commonly in disturbed places such as eroded slopes, riverbanks, roadsides and abandoned or disturbed land (California Invasive Plant Council, n.d.). Likely to require open sites with access to light and water. "…brooms do not establish well in highly shaded areas." (LeBlanc, 2001).

3. How much disturbance is required? Establishes in highly (human) disturbed natural ecosystems (California Invasive Plant Council, n.d.).

GROWTH / COMPETITIVE

4. Life form? Shrub ⇒ Other (Hoshovsky, 1986).

5. Allelopathic properties? None described. A nitrogen-fixing plant, it may inhibit the growth of some native species by changing the soil chemistry (Hoshovsky, 1986).

6. Tolerates herb pressure? Broom plants were grown for a number of domestic uses including cattle fodder. However, as the plant contains alkaloids and is known to "…cause to vomit with great violence", it likely to be avoided by animals (LeBlanc, 2001; Grieve, 1981).

7. Normal growth rate? With brooms generally, "stem growth can be rapid during the first year." (LeBlanc, 2001). Growth rate is probably at least equal to similar species.

8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc? In California, S. junceum tolerates dry conditions, but it is restricted to lower elevations due to cold winter temperatures. In Washington state, it is known to flower from July (summer) to the first frosts. These frosts are not known to kill the below-ground parts of the plant. "Spanish broom is the most drought resistant of the broom species." The plant can withstand cool fires (i.e. soil temps < 149°C), but a hot fire that, "…kills all aboveground stems and burns hot and close to the ground will completely kill standing individuals." Tolerant of drought, frost and cool fires. (LeBlanc, 2001; Coggan, 2003; California Invasive Plant Council, n.d.)

REPRODUCTION

9. Reproductive system? Sexual reproduction, both self- and cross-pollinated (Bossard, 2003).

10. Number of propagules produced? "One plant can easily produce 7,000 to 10,000 seed in one season." (California Invasive Plant Council, n.d.).

11. Propagule longevity? "Seed viability is at least five years." (California Invasive Plant Council, n.d.).

12. Reproductive period? "Initial rapid growth in the first 4 or 5 years is followed by 6 to 8 years of relatively slow growth. This is followed by a period of senescence in which there is more dead, woody tissue than green tissue." Reproduces from second or third year of growth. Thus the reproductive period is likely to exceed 10 years. (LeBlanc, 2001; California Invasive Plant Council, n.d.).

13. Time to reproductive maturity? "Spanish broom reproduces …after two or three years of growth." (California Invasive Plant Council, n.d.). - 2–5 years.

DISPERSAL

14. Number of mechanisms? Seedpods burst open and eject seed, however, most seed falls near to the plant. Seed can be moved by erosion, rain-wash and possibly ants (California Invasive Plant Council, n.d.). "Despite local dispersal produced by the ballistic mechanism, broom seeds are most likely to land beneath or at a short distance from the maternal plant." (Malo, 2004).

15. How far do they disperse? Much of the fallen seed will remain near the maternal plant. Those propagules spread due to erosion or rain-wash may disperse greater than 200 metres (California Invasive Plant Council, n.d.).

Impact Assessment

RECREATION

1. Restrict human access? Perennial shrub to 3m high. "Brooms grow rapidly and form dense stand that are inaccessible to… wildlife." (LeBlanc, 2001). Humans would also have difficulty pushing through dense stands.

2. Reduce tourism? "An occasional weed in woodlands and rocky areas of Victoria. This species can form large infestations, especially after fire which assists seedling germination." (Conservation Council, n.d.). In situations where the plant is dominant it would have a negative visual impact. However, it is unlikely to greatly affect recreational activities. Minor effects.

3. Injurious to people? "The Spanish broom in its medicinal properties closely resembles the common broom, but is from five to six times more active." (Grieve, 1931). "…the seeds [of Cytisus scoparius] are poisonous if eaten in quantity." (Blood, 2001). "All parts of the plant are poisonous if eaten." (Coggon, 2003). It is likely then that seeds from S. junceum present a similar threat to humans. Toxic properties all year.

4. Damage to cultural sites? Dense stands could produce a negative visual effect.

ABIOTIC

5. Impact flow? Terrestrial species. "All brooms grow best in dry, sand soils in full sunlight." (LeBlanc, 2001).

6. Impact water quality? Terrestrial species.

7. Increase soil erosion? "A common feature of the invasive brooms is and aggressive root system…taproot to 0.6m…extensive, many branched, shallow, lateral root system." (LeBlanc, 2001). Dense patches may enhance soil stabilisation particularly in waste places or neglected areas.

8. Reduce biomass? "This species can form large infestations, especially after fire which assists seedling germination. This leads to considerable fuel buildup." (Conservation Council, n.d.). Occurs in grassy woodland and lowland grassland. Dense patches may increase biomass.

9. Change fire regime? "This species can form large infestations, especially after fire which assists seedling germination. This leads to considerable fuel buildup." (Conservation Council, n.d.). "As plants grow, the inner stems die back, providing a highly flammable fuel." (Neyisci, 1987). In a comparative study of 45 plants Spartium junceum was found to be slow burning (LeBlanc, 2001). Such woody material may lead to seasonal changes to the frequency of fire.

COMMUNITY HABITAT

10(a) Impact on composition of high value EVC? EVC=Plains grassy woodland (E); CMA=North Central; Bioreg=Goldfields; VH CLIMATE potential. "Dense stems make regeneration of most other species difficult or impossible." "This species is capable of crowding out desirable native plants." A study in the Orcia Valley, Tuscany, Italy, found that species diversity was reduced in scrub dominated by Spartium junceum. Likely to displace a dominant species within the lower storey and have some effect on mid-storey species. (LeBlanc, 2001; Coggan, 2003; Maccherini et al, 2000).

10(b) Impact on medium value EVC? EVC=Heathy, herb-rich woodland (D); CMA=Glenelg Hopkins; Bioreg=Dundas Tablelands; VH CLIMATE potential. See comments in 10(a) above.

10(c) Impact on low value EVC? EVC=Heathy woodlands (LC); CMA=Glenelg Hopkins; Bioreg=Dundas Tablelands; VH CLIMATE potential. See comments in 10(a) above.

11. Impact on structure? "The dense stems make regeneration of most other species difficult or impossible." "This species is capable of crowding out desirable native plants." A study in the Orcia Valley, Tuscany, Italy, found that species diversity was reduced in scrub dominated by Spartium junceum. In Victoria, it occurs in lowland grassland and grassy woodland. Likely to affect species in the lower storey, but may also restrict the regeneration of other shrubs. Major effect on <60% of species in the lower storey. (LeBlanc, 2001; Coggan, 2003; Maccherini et al, 2000).

12. Effect on threatened flora?

FAUNA

13. Effect on threatened fauna?

14. Effect on non-threatened fauna? Changes to vegetation structure may reduce habitat or food for native fauna (LeBlanc, 2001). Minor negative effects.

15. Benefits fauna? No documented benefits.

16. Injurious to fauna? The whole plant contains alkaloids, which are thought to act as a primary defence mechanism against predation, particularly by vertebrate herbivores. However, brooms are also promoted as useful animal (sheep and cattle) fodder (LeBlanc, 2001; Barboni et al, 1994; Bonciarelli &
Santilocchi, 1980). Potential for injury to fauna under some conditions.

PEST ANIMAL

17. Food source to pests? Not known as a food source to pest animals. Young plants have the highest alkaloid content (primary twigs, flowers and seed) possibly deterring consumption by rabbits, for example (Barboni et al, 1994).

18. Provides harbor? Dense patches may provide harbor for rabbits, but not individual plants (The Nature Conservancy, n.d.).

AGRICULTURE

19. Impact yield? Not known as a pest plant in pasture situations. Plants are used for fodder in Italy. Not likely to occur in cropping situations (Bonciarelli & Santilocchi, 1980). Little or negligible effect on yield.

20. Impact quality? Not likely to affect the quality of produce. Not a seed contaminant. (Large seed would be easily removed during processing.)

21. Affect land values? As with C. scoparius, it is unlikely to be a significant agricultural weed, thus it would have an immeasurable affect on the value of agricultural land (Parsons & Cuthbertson, 2001).

22. Change land use? No. Not likely to be a significant weed on managed farms. Potentially, it could be a problem on abandoned pasture.

23. Increase harvest costs? No

24. Disease host/vector? None documented. No other brooms are known to be hosts or vectors of disease.

Feedback

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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.

Attachments:

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referenced by (1)

wra1033: Common Name - S (via Spanish broom)

Article: wra3892 (permalink)
Categories: :wra:s, :wra:inv1, :wra:invmh, :wra:inv2, :wra:invml, :wra:inv3, :wra:invm, :wra:inv4, :wra:invl, :wra:inv5, :wra:inv6, :wra:invh, :wra:inv7, :wra:inv8, :wra:inv9, :wra:inv10, :wra:inv11, :wra:inv12, :wra:inv13, :wra:inv14, :wra:inv15, :wra:imp1, :wra:impmh, :wra:imp2, :wra:impml, :wra:imp3, :wra:imph, :wra:imp4, :wra:imp5, :wra:impl, :wra:imp6, :wra:imp7, :wra:imp8, :wra:imp9, :wra:imp10a, :wra:imp10b, :wra:imp10c, :wra:imp11, :wra:imp12, :wra:impm, :wra:imp13, :wra:imp14, :wra:imp15, :wra:imp16, :wra:imp17, :wra:imp18, :wra:imp19, :wra:imp20, :wra:imp21, :wra:imp22, :wra:imp23, :wra:imp24
Date: 9 November 2009; 10:54:51 AM AEDT

Author Name: Jessica Mackay
Author ID: mackayj