Genista linifolia L.
Flaxleaf Broom

Scientific Description

Genus Genista. Form erect. Habit shrub, spindly shrub (broom-like). Stems Indumentum hairy, Pustules or glands absent, Striation (stems ribbed) not striate, Cross section terete, Spiny on any part of plant not spiny. Leaves or phylloclades Presence clearly present, Position alternate or whorled, Leaves simple, Leaves or phylloclade continuous with stem not continuous with stem, Cross section of leaf or leaflet flat with flat margins, Margins of leaf or leaflet entire, Tuberculate tubercles absent, Pustules or glands absent. Length Leaf length 15-30. Width (entire leaves only) Leaf width 1.2-3. Scale leaves length mm long NaN (?). Indumentum Presence hairy, Type simple. Stipules Presence apparently absent even from the youngest leaves, Glands with glands (?) or without glands (?), Ribs ribbed (?) or ribless (?). Length Stipule length NaN (?). Bracteoles Presence present and persistent, Indumentum hairy, Striation not striate. Length Bracteole length 2.5-2.7. Pedicel Presence present, Indumentum hairy. Length Pedicel length 3-3.5. Calyx Pustules or glands absent, Ribs ribless, Enlarged in fruit not accrescent. Length Calyx length 7-9. Indumentum Presence hairy, Type with simple hairs. Corolla Colour patterning uniformly coloured, Colour (when uniformly coloured) yellow, Petal claws ( the narrow base of the petals absent. Length Corolla length 11-14. Indumentum Presence absent. Standard Indumentum glabrous, Auricles not auriculate. Length Standard length 12-13.5. Wings Auricles not auriculate. Length Wing length NaN (?). Keel Auricles not auriculate, Indumentum glabrous, Beak not beaked. Length Keel length 10-11.5. Stamens Number nine (?) or ten (?). Anthers anther length 0.8-1, Position at two different levels (filaments alternately long and short). Filaments Fusion united in a closed sheath. Length Filament length 6-10. Ovary Placement stipitate. Indumentum Presence hairy or glandular. Style Indumentum hairy or glandular towards the base, Bearded ( with a tuft of hairs at apex ) not bearded, Apex terete. Length Style length 11-12. Fruit Type dehiscent (a pod or follicle), Constriction constricted between the seeds, Compression round in cross-section, Placement sessile or subsessile, Beak not beaked. Length Fruit length NaN (?). Width Fruit width NaN (?). Indumentum Presence hairy (?) or glabrous (?), Indumentum type with simple hairs (?) or with glandular hairs (?). Flowering time August, September, October or November. Distribution Botanical Province South-West, IBRA Bioregion Avon Wheatbelt, Jarrah Forest, Warren or Swan Coastal Plain.

Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)

General Biology. Growth form. Shrub. Reproduction. Seed. Dispersal. Explosive action, birds, water, ants, machinery, slashing, soil movement, garden refuse. Time to first flowering. 2 years. Toxicity. Seeds are poisonous to humans. Vegetative regeneration strategy. Resprouts from base. Seedbank persistence. Long, 10+ years.

Additional information. Origin. Mediterranean region. History of use/introduction. Garden escape.

Suggested method of management and control. Hand pull or dig out small seedlings ensuring removal of all roots. For mature plants cut and paint with 50% glyphosate or foliar spray with 1% glyphosate, repeat treatment. Alternatively try 250 ml Access® in 15 L of diesel to basal 50 cm of stem (basal bark). Monitor site for recruitment from seedbank. Read the manufacturers' labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. For further information consult the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of permits for your situation or state.

Management Calendar

Legend: Y = Yes, regularly, O = Occasionally, U = Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.

 

References

• Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
• CRC Weed Management (2008) Weed management guide. Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) and other introduced brooms. CRC for Australian Weed Management.
• Hosking, J.R. Sheppard, A.W. & Smith, J.M.B. (2000) Best practice management guide: Broom, Cytisus scoparius. CRC for Weed Management Systems, Adelaide. URL: http://www.weeds.crc.org.au/documents/broom.pdf - Accessed December 2007.
• Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. & Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd Edition. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park.
• Muyt, A. (2001) Bush invaders of South-East Australia: A guide to the identification and control of environmental weeds found in South-East Australia. R.G. & F.J. Richardson, Melbourne.
• Navie, S. & Adkins, S. (2008) Environmental Weeds of Australia, An interactive identification and information resource for over 1000 invasive plants. Centre for Biological Information Technology, The University of Queensland.
• Parsons, W.T. & Cuthbertson, E.G. (2001) Noxious weeds of Australia. 2nd Edition. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.
• Richardson, F.J., Richardson, R.G. & Shepard, R.C.H. (2006) Weeds of the Southeast. An identification guide for Australia. R.G and F.G. Richardson, Meredith.
• Williamson, R. [updated by G. Johnson] (2007) Information notes. Cape Broom/Montpellier Broom. Department of Primary Industries, Victoria. URL: http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/notes/ - Accessed December 2007.