Genista monosperma

Bridal veil broom, Bridal Veil Broom

Family: Fabaceae · Type: shrub · Not Native

Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes

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.

Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed areas, alluvial fans

Bloom period: Feb-Jun

Elevation: < 200 m

Bioregions: SnGb, PR (San Diego Co.)

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.