For Its Poisonousness The Scotch Broom Should Be Under Control

The Scotch Broom (Scoparius) is generally described as a perennial shrub. This is not native to the U.S. (United States) and has its most active growth period in the spring and summer . The Scotch Broom (Scoparius) has green foliage and inconspicuous yellow flowers, with an abuncance of conspicuous black fruits or seeds. The greatest bloom is usually observed in the spring, with fruit and seed production starting in the spring and continuing until summer. Leaves are not retained year to year. The Scotch Broom (Scoparius) has a moderate life span relative to most other plant species and a rapid growth rate. At maturity, the typical Scotch Broom (Scoparius) will reach up to 7 feet high, with a maximum height at 20 years of 7 feet.

There are several methods of controlling Scotch broom and most are suitable for agricultural situations.

Herbicides are effective but expensive and only provide short-term control. Grazing by sheep and goats can prevent further spread, but this type of control is inappropriate for conservation and forestry areas.

This species is intensely beautiful in bloom but is nearly leafless on green stems the rest of the year. The tiny leaves are borne on stiff straight sticks that make wonderful brooms. But it was a hand-held whisk broom known as a "bisom" that made the plants essential to the baker's craft. In the days of brick ovens, the cooking surface had to be swept out between bread bakings. Dry broom would ignite immediately. Green broom bisom dipped in water resisted burning long enough to do the job. Clearly a baker required a good deal of living broom growing nearby to ensure a plentiful supply. So did the whiskey shipper.

Mature Scotch broom produces a large, upright shrub. (SHNS photo by Maureen Gilmer / Do It Yourself)Today there is a great struggle to stop the steady advance of broom. Aided by runoff, animals and even insects, broom's encroachment is alarmingly rapid where conditions are right. For homeowners in these areas, broom can disfigure surrounding wild lands, resulting in a monoculture. Wild plants distributing seed into the cultivated landscapes make it a pernicious weed.