Genista monosperma
Bridal veil broom, Bridal Veil Broom
(c) Oleg Kosterin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Fabaceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Genista monosperma (Bridal veil broom) is a non-native California shrub in the Fabaceae family, recognized by white flowers and pendent branches are highly diagnostic.
Bridal veil broom is a naturalized shrub found in southern California's San Diego County and coastal regions at elevations below 200 meters, typically growing in disturbed areas and alluvial fans. Flowering from February to June, this plant produces delicate white flowers in loose racemes, with blossoms 10 to 12 millimeters long featuring an ovate banner petal hairy only along its midrib. Growing to 4 meters tall with gracefully pendent branches that are silky-hairy when young, it forms an elegant, arching shape. Its leaves are simple, linear to lanceolate, and remarkably ephemeral, quickly dropping from the branches. The fruit is an unusual indehiscent pod 14 to 18 millimeters long, slightly inflated and bearing one or two black seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; white flowers and pendent branches are highly diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed areas, alluvial fans
Elevation: < 200 m
Outside California: Iberian Peninsula, Canary Islands, northern Africa
Bloom period
Genista monosperma blooms Feb-Jun.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
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 monosperma native to California?
No. Genista monosperma is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Genista monosperma bloom?
Genista monosperma blooms Feb-Jun.
What plant family does Genista monosperma belong to?
Genista monosperma is in the Fabaceae family, genus Genista.
Is Genista monosperma invasive in California?
Genista monosperma is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
What habitat does Genista monosperma grow in?
Genista monosperma grows in Uncommon. Disturbed areas, alluvial fans.
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.