What’s that yellow flower? Week 4.

Driving along Ferretti Road on your way to town you may have noticed a beautiful display of yellow. And quite beautiful it is! These are some of the “yellowist” yellows you will ever come across. What is this mystery plant? It is the lovely Spanish Broom. Originally planted as ornamentals and hillside stabilizers, it has since spread throughout California. It has pea shaped flowers, themselves a study in beauty and design. When a pollinator lands on the “wings” the “keel” pops up and covers the unexpected visitor with pollen! Not only is Spanish Broom found throughout CA, but also Scotch, French, and Portuguese Broom. Spanish is the easiest one to identify however, since it has single leaves, the others having leaves of three. Sadly, it is an invasive and does take over properties. Perhaps you have some on yours? Please let me know as I would like to know if there are other species of brooms here in Groveland.