Distribution

More info for the term: shrub

French broom is native to the Azores and countries surrounding the Mediterranean
Sea. It has been introduced to other areas including Australia, New Zealand,
and North America [11]. In North America it occurs from southern British
Columbia south to southern California [40]. French broom is thought to have been
introduced to the San Francisco Bay Area in the mid-1800s as an ornamental [11]
and has since become invasive in California, southwestern Oregon, and Washington
[57]. It is currently the most widespread of the brooms in California. In
California, French broom is found in the North Coast Ranges, San Francisco Bay,
southern Coast Ranges, southern Channel Islands, Western Transverse, and
Peninsular Ranges [35]. Plants database provides a state
distribution map of French broom.

French broom is 1 of 4 nonnative invasive broom species that occur in North
America. Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), Portuguese broom (C.
striatus), and Spanish broom (Spartium junceum)
occur in similar habitats and have some similar morphological
and ecological
characteristics. Common gorse (Ulex europaeus) is another leguminous
shrub that occurs in similar habitats, but is morphologically distinct from the
brooms.

The following lists include vegetation types in which French broom is known or thought to
be potentially invasive, based on reported occurrence and biological tolerances
to site conditions. Precise distribution information is limited; therefore,
these lists may not be exhaustive.