Genista canariensis
Canary broom
(c) Petr Harant, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Not Native
Genista canariensis (Canary broom) is a non-native California shrub / tree in the Fabaceae family, recognized by (G. monspessulana); key differences in leaflet shape and inflorescence position.
Canary broom is a naturalized shrub found in southern California coastal and western Transverse Ranges in disturbed places at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering from February to April, this plant produces bright yellow flowers in terminal racemes 10 to 60 millimeters long. Growing to less than 3 meters tall with young twigs covered in silky hairs, the shrub develops a distinctive branching structure. Its leaves feature 5 to 10 small obovate or round leaflets, sparsely hairy on the upper surface and densely hairy underneath, with tiny stipules less than 2 millimeters long. The fruit is a hairy pod 15 to 30 millimeters long, containing 5 to 8 seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species (G. monspessulana); key differences in leaflet shape and inflorescence position
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed places
Elevation: < 1000 m
Outside California: native to Canary Islands
Bloom period
Genista canariensis blooms Feb-Apr.
How to tell it apart
vs Cytisus: Genista style bends sharply at tip; Scotch broom style curves gently throughout or bends in middle.; vs Acmispon: Genista is tall woody shrub; deerweed is low herbaceous plant with flowers in small clusters.; vs Spartium: Genista has leafy stems; Spanish broom has nearly leafless rush-like stems.; vs Lupinus: Genista has 1-3 tiny leaflets; lupine has 5-17 large leaflets in palm arrangement.; vs Baccharis: Genista has yellow pea flowers; baccharis has tiny white/cream fuzzy flowers in clusters.
Frequently asked questions
Is Genista canariensis native to California?
No. Genista canariensis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Genista canariensis bloom?
Genista canariensis blooms Feb-Apr.
What plant family does Genista canariensis belong to?
Genista canariensis is in the Fabaceae family, genus Genista.
What habitat does Genista canariensis grow in?
Genista canariensis grows in Uncommon. Disturbed places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.