
Flower profile
Scotch broom
Cytisus scoparius
Scotch broom is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 2 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in April–June.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: Oregon, Washington
Quick look
Cytisus scoparius, the common broom or Scotch broom, is a deciduous leguminous shrub native to western and central Europe. In Great Britain and Ireland, the standard name is broom; this name is also used for other members of the Genisteae tribe, such as French broom or Spanish broom; and the term common broom is sometimes used for clarification.
- It belongs to the Fabaceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 27 states. USDA PLANTS
- NatureServe lists it as not native to Washington and Oregon. NatureServe
- In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–June. iNaturalist
- In Oregon, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in April–June. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as yellow. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as spring. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 7 ft. USDA PLANTS
- iNaturalist has 5,542 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #25 among the 110 flowers on our Washington list. iNaturalist
- iNaturalist has 5,053 research-grade sightings of it in Oregon, ranking #21 among the 110 flowers on our Oregon list. iNaturalist
State flower gift ideas
This one is a regulated invasive plant, so here are state flower gifts instead.
🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.
-
Placeholder
State flower print
-
Placeholder
Birth-flower necklace
-
Placeholder
Wildflower seed favors
-
Placeholder
Botanical tea towel
-
Placeholder
Pressed-flower frame
-
Placeholder
Flower-garden mug
When does it bloom?
Bloom time in each of our 2 states
| State | Type | Peak bloom | Sightings* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | Introduced | April–June | 5,542 |
| Oregon | Introduced | April–June | 5,053 |
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe global
- GNR Not yet ranked worldwide. NatureServe
- Washington
- No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Washington.
- Oregon
- Not listed Not on Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Oregon. OAR 603-073-0070
- Rare elsewhere
- No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
NC State Extension lists it as poisonous to humans (severity: high). Poisonous parts: leaves, seeds, stems. Symptoms they list: “HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! Vomiting, excitement, muscular weakness, convulsions.” NC State Extension
It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records scotch broom in 27 states plus Washington, D.C.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
Alabama, Alaska, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia; District of Columbia.
Washington counties with USDA records: Adams, Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Whatcom, Yakima.
Oregon counties with USDA records: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Douglas, Hood River, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Union, Washington, Yamhill.
More Washington flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile CYSC4.
- iNaturalist, Cytisus scoparius: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Cytisus scoparius (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Washington: Washington State noxious weed list (WAC 16-750-005, -011, -015).
- Oregon: Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070).
- Oregon: Oregon noxious weed quarantine, A and B weeds (OAR 603-052-1200).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Cytisus scoparius (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension.
- Photo: rebecca bachman via iNaturalist · CC0 · resized.


