Retama monosperma (Bridal veil broom)

Retama monosperma

Photo by Jason Giessow

Retama monosperma (bridal veil broom) is an escaped ornamental plant in the family Fabaceae. Although it is currently invasive in only one population in San Diego County, Cal-IPC lists it as an alert species due to its invasiveness in other areas with climates similar to California. In six years, this one infestation spread in size from approximately 1 acre (4 ha) to 1980 ac (800 ha). Like Scotch and French brooms, bridal veil broom can produce thousands of seeds per plant that may then be carried long distances by birds.

Jepson Manual, 2nd Edition: Genista monosperma

Cal-IPC Inventory rating: Moderate - Alert

Cal-IPC Resources on Retama monosperma

• California Invasive Plant Inventory Assessment Form (pdf) - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.
• Species account from Invasive Plants of California's Wildlands - Includes biology and management information.
• Cal-IPC News - Articles from our quarterly newsletter. Each issue is available as a pdf. List of articles on Retama monosperma.
• Cal-IPC Symposium Proceedings - Presentations and papers from our annual Symposium. List of articles on Retama monosperma.
• Don't Plant a Pest! - Select your region to find non-invasive alternatives to ornamental species. Also see our statewide brochure on trees.

Cal-IPC News Articles

• (2006). Recommended action on invasive ornamentals. Cal-IPC News. 14: 10.
• Connick, S. and M. Gerel (2005). Don't sell a pest: A new partnership to prevent plant invasion through horticulture. Cal-IPC News. 13: 4-5,13.

Cal-IPC Symposium Proceedings

• Connick, S. and M. Gerel (2004). Partnering to prevent invasions of plants of horticultural origin. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2004. Ventura, CA.
• Randall, J. M. (1997). Weed alert! New invasive weeds in California. California Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium '97. Concord, CA.
• Tu, M. and J. M. Randall (2003). 2003 Cal-IPC red alert! New invasions, recent expansions, and a few others to be on the look-out For. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2003. Kings Beach, CA.

Other Resources on Retama monosperma

• USDA PLANTS database - Federal database with information on identification and distribution, and links to websites in individual states.
• Jepson Online Interchange for California Flora - Information on taxonomy, biology, and distribution from the UC Berkeley Jepson Herbarium.
• CalFlora - Distribution information by county based on submitted observations and herbarium specimens.

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