Don't Be Fooled -- It's a Noxious Weed

Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, Canada

June is blooming time for Scotch broom.  It's beautiful in bloom but has been declared a noxious weed.  It was brought to Vancouver Island in the 19th century by a homesick Scotsman.  Unfortuneately, it took too well to the mild climate here on the Island.  It has spread over much of the eastern portion of the island from its Victoria start.

Scotch broom is a legume and we might think that it enriches the soil for other plants.  It may enrich the soil but its robust nature means that native plants are elbowed out and broom takes over.  When the seed pods are ripe in another month, they spring open and shoot seeds up to eight metres.  Any disturbed ground is fair game.

Another import from Scotland is slowly gaining ground south of Nanaimo -- gorse.  Gorse is even tougher than broom and comes equipped with viscious thorns. Ouch!