Fabaceae

Genista monspessulana

Common Names: Cape broom

Plant Form: Erect shrub. Size: Up to 3 m tall. Stem: Hairy, ribbed. Leaves: Divided into three egg-shaped leaflets, each up to 25 mm long, sparsely hairy or hairless, on short stalks. Flowers: Several yellow pea-flowers 8-13 mm long in a grouping, on stalks 2-4 mm long. Fruit and Seeds: Pods up to 3 cm long, densely hairy. With 6-7 seeds per pod, which are slightly compressed, shiny-black, with small tan covering. Habitat: Roadsides, paddocks, disturbed areas, old gardens. Distinguishing Features: Leaflets wider and pods have more seeds than in Flaxleaf broom (Genista linifolia).