Montpellier Broom
Genista monspessulana
Declared Noxious Weed
Origin: South Europe
Size: 2m-3m H, 1.5m-2m W
Best time for removal: Before seeds form
Flowers: August to November
Fruits: November to February
What it does
This plant invades all areas except heavily shaded or swampy places. It is a vigorous plant that overtakes large areas, preventing indigenous vegetation from growing.
What it looks like
Montpellier Broom is a dense upright evergreen shrub. It has woody ridged stems. The soft leaves are usually divided into 3 leaflets which are hairy on both surfaces. Yellow pea-type flowers appear in late-winter and spring. The seed pods are silky hairy all over. The seeds are highly poisonous and appear between spring and late summer.
How it spreads
Reproduction is by seed which is long-lived. It is spread by:
- Birds and other animals
- water
- sold at nurseries, markets and fetes
Declared noxious weeds have the potential to spread widely and cause serious economic loss to agriculture, or have some detrimental effect upon people, animals, the environment or the local community.
Removal
Remove by hand
Small plants can easily be hand pulled when the soil is soft. It is best to try and remove the young plants before they begin to flower.
Cut and paint
For larger plants, this method may be more practical. Be sure to paint the cut as quickly as possible to ensure the plant absorbs the poison.
Spray with herbicide
Where there is quite a large infestation, hand pulling or the cut and paint method would not be appropriate. Montpellier Broom can be sprayed with a glyphosate- based product. Use a registered product and ensure you check the label and follow instructions. Ring the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action on 136 186 for full details.
Indigenous alternatives to plant
Many medium shrub alternatives exist that are indigenous to the Yarra Ranges region and would make great substitutes for the Montpellier Broom. Some alternatives include:
How to dispose of weeds
By disposing of environmental weeds correctly you can prevent re-infestation on your property and elsewhere.
- Landfill (Weed Wipeout Tip vouchers available for some species).
- Green waste bins ensure that weeds are not able to spread.
- Woody weed stems can be bundled for green collection twice per annum.
- Composting (excluding seed heads or species with vegetative reproduction, e.g. Wandering Trad).
- Burning in accordance with Council and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) prescribed burning periods and regulations.
- Recovery and transfer stations available for weed tipping are Healesville, Wesburn, Coldstream, Lysterfield and Montrose.
Using Chemicals
Non-chemical treatment is often the most effective and safe option especially on smaller scale infestations.
Where chemical use is undertaken:
- Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when using chemicals.
- Wear protective clothing and eyewear.
- When purchasing your herbicide, always ask for a Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or refer to the manufacturer’s website for specific safety guidelines and information.
- Some herbicides will kill other plants and not just the target species.
- When used near waterways herbicides can be very poisonous to aquatic life.
- Use chemicals sparingly and be sure that you are using the right chemical and application technique.
- Ensure the weather conditions are suitable (e.g. minimal wind and no rain expected).
- Apply herbicides at the correct time during the plant’s growth cycle so you get the best results.