Genista maderensis
Madeira broom, Madeira Broom
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Family: Fabaceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Genista maderensis (Madeira broom) is a non-native California shrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by persistent stipules giving scaly twig appearance.
Madeira broom is a naturalized shrub found in northern Sierra Nevada foothills, San Francisco Bay Area, and southern Coastal Ranges in disturbed areas at elevations below 700 meters. Flowering in April, this plant produces yellow flowers in dense terminal racemes 15 to 40 millimeters long. Growing as a compact shrub less than 2 meters tall with dull yellow-brown hairy twigs, it develops a distinctive scaly appearance from persistent stipules. Its leaves feature 10 to 15 millimeter oblanceolate to obovate leaflets that are sparsely hairy on top and densely hairy underneath. The fruit is 20 to 35 millimeters long and densely covered in silky hairs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; persistent stipules giving scaly twig appearance are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed areas
Elevation: < 700 m
Outside California: native to Madeira
Bloom period
Genista maderensis blooms 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 maderensis native to California?
No. Genista maderensis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Genista maderensis bloom?
Genista maderensis blooms Apr.
What plant family does Genista maderensis belong to?
Genista maderensis is in the Fabaceae family, genus Genista.
What habitat does Genista maderensis grow in?
Genista maderensis grows in Uncommon. Disturbed areas.
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.