Flax-leaf Broom is a shrub up to 3 m high. It has small, linear, opposite leaves and bright yellow pea flowers in spring.

This species is originally from southwestern Europe, northern Africa and the Canary Islands however is now a common weed of Victoria. Flax-leaf Broom is a highly invasive species, capable of forming dense thickets and excluding native vegetation. The seeds are very long lived (up to 80 years!!!) and so follow up work is always required for a prolonged period after control.

This species is also listed as a regionally controlled species within the Corangamite Catchment under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 as well as recently becoming an Australian Weed of National Significance. Within the Jan Juc to Bells Beach clifftops this species is only noted as isolated individuals thanks to many hours of hand weeding by volunteers and GORCC staff.

Photos by Neil Tucker.