Flax-leaf broom (Genista linifolia)

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Flax-leaf broom is a shrub up to 3 m tall with bright yellow pea-like flowers. It outcompetes native plants, reducing food and habitat for native animals.

This plant must not be sold anywhere in NSW

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How does this weed affect you?

Flax-leaf broom:

outcompetes native plants
reduces food and habitat for native animals
forms dense thickets that can restrict movement of people and animals
invades pastures, reducing productivity
can harbour pest animals
increases the level of nitrogen in the soil, which can reduce native plant growth
can increase the risk of fires.

What does it look like?

Flax-leaf broom is an erect, evergreen, spreading shrub up to 3 m tall.

Leaves are:

dark green and hairless above
densely covered in fine hairs below, giving a silvery appearance
narrow and slender with minutely pointed ends
1.0–2.5 cm long and 0.5–4.5 mm wide
curved or rolled along the edges
in groups of 3, arranged alternately along the branch.

Flowers are:

bright yellow
pea-like with one hairy petal
10–15 mm long
occur in clusters of 3–16 at the tips of branches
mainly present from late winter to late spring.

Fruit are:

densely hairy pods with 2–4 seeds
green when young
brownish black when ripe
narrow, oblong and cylindrical in cross section
10–30 mm long and about 5 mm wide.

Seeds are:

rounded
olive green to brown with an orange aril
2–3 mm in diameter

Stems are:

brownish-green
covered in fine, short, woolly, grey hairs when young
are less hairy with age
ridged.

Similar looking plants

Flax-leaf broom looks similar to the following weeds:

Cape broom (Genista monspessulana), which has leaves with flat leaf edges, rather than curved or rolled. Its pods are flat with 5–8 seeds.
Madeira broom (Genista stenopetala), which has leaves with flat margins. It also has flat pods with 5–8 seeds in each.
Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius subsp. scoparius) which has flat edges on the leaf margins, its flowers grow singly in the leaf forks and the pods are up to 7 cm long.
Spanish broom (Spartium junceum) which has leaves with flat margins. Its flowers grow singly in the leaf forks and the pods are up to 8 cm long.
Gorse (Ulex europaeus), which is very spiny and adult plants have spine-like leaves in clusters along the stems.

Where is it found?

In NSW, flaxleaf broom grows in Greater Sydney, Murray, Riverina and South East regions.

It is native to the Mediterranean Islands, southern France, Spain, Algeria, Morocco and the Canary Islands. Flax-leaved broom was brought to Australia in the mid-1800s. It was widely planted as an ornamental shrub and hedge plant.

What type of environment does it grow in?

Flax-leaved broom grows in warm temperate climates with moderate rainfall. Plants prefer slightly acidic soils. It grows in:

disturbed areas such as roadsides, along railways and in drains
pastures
forestry plantations
native grasslands
open woodlands and the edges of forests
riparian areas
coastal dunes.

Maps and records

Recorded presence of Flax-leaf broom during property inspections (Map: Biosecurity Information System - Weeds, 2017-2026)
These records are made by authorised officers during property inspections under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Records reflect the presence of the weed on the date of inspection.

How does it spread?

By seed

Flax-leaf broom plants begin to flower and produce seeds at two years of age. Plants produce large numbers of pods. Pods burst open in the heat of summer and eject the seeds up to 3 m from the parent plant. Seeds usually germinate in the following autumn and spring; however, the seeds have a hard coat and can survive for many years in the soil. Fire or soil disturbance can trigger germination of very large numbers of seeds.

Seed is spread:

by water
in mud on machinery (such as road graders, slashers)
in mud or soil stuck to vehicles and footwear
by birds, ants and livestock
by people dumping garden waste.

References

Cherry, H. (2011). Weed management guide–Brooms: Scotch (Cytisus scoparius), Montpellier (Genista monspessulana) and flax-leaf (Genista linifolia) brooms, Caring for our Country. Available at www.weeds.org.au/WoNS/brooms

Identic and Lucid (2016). Weeds of Australia Fact Sheet: Genista linifolia. Retrieved 14 September 2026 from: https://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/media/Html/genista_linifolia.htm

Michelmore, M. & Osmond, R. (2006) NSW DPI Primefact 255: Gorse and brooms. Available at: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/pests-weeds/weeds/profiles/gorse

Muyt, A. (2001). Bush invaders of South-East Australia: a guide to the identification and control of environmental weeds found in South-East Australia. RG and FJ Richardson.

Office of Environment and Heritage. (2014). Broom management manual current management and control options for Scotch (Cytisus scoparius) Montpellier (Genista monspessulana) and flax-leaf (G. linifolia) brooms in Australia. Office of Environment and Heritage (NSW) Sydney.

Parsons, W.T., & Cuthbertson, E. G. (2001). Noxious weeds of Australia. 2nd edition. CSIRO publishing.

PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. Retrieved 30 September from: https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Genista~linifolia

More information

Control

For the best results, control plants when they are young.

Physical removal

By hand

Small plants can be pulled or dug out. This is most effective when the ground is soft and the entire plant, including roots, can be removed.

By machine

Larger infestations with many mature plants can be bulldozed. Stems need to be broken off as close to ground level as possible to shatter roots. Large scale mechanical control causes soil disturbance and a mass germination from the soil seed bank is highly likely. Check for regrowth and treat seedlings or regrowth.

In accessible areas such as pastures and plantations, mulching can be used on large and non-seeding infestations. The layer of mulch can help to temporarily reduce seed germination and regrowth.

Fire

Fire does not always kill adult plants. Use fire in combination with mechanical control to remove the above ground biomass and stimulate germination of seeds in the soil bank. Some seeds can still remain dormant following fire. Regularly monitor burnt sites and treat regrowth and seedlings.

Consult with local authorities and seek the necessary permits before using fire to control weeds.

Biological control

Although some species of broom can be controlled by biological control agents, there are currently no biological control agents available for flax-leaf broom.

Herbicide Control

Young plants are particularly susceptible to herbicides. If possible, treat flax-leaved brooms before their first flowering season.

Follow-up treatments are usually needed for larger plants.

Spraying

Spray actively growing plants. Cover all of the foliage with the herbicide. Check the labels for the best time of year and growth stage.

Cut stump

Cut the stems close to the ground (10 cm high or less). Apply a 3–5 mm layer of gel onto stems less than 2 cm diameter. Apply 5 mm layer on stems above 2 cm diameter.

Herbicide options

WARNING - ALWAYS READ THE LABEL
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au

See Using herbicides for more information.

Picloram 100 g/L + Triclopyr 300 g/L + Aminopyralid 8 g/L (Grazon® Extra)
Rate: 250 mL per 100 L water
Comments: Spray spring to mid summer prior to pod formation. Agricultural non-crop areas, Commercial and industrial areas, forests, pastures and rights of way.
Withholding period: Where product is used to control woody weeds in pastures there is a restriction of 12 weeks for use of treated pastures for making hay and silage; using hay or other plant material for compost, mulch or mushroom substrate; or using animal waste from animals grazing on treated pastures for compost, mulching, or spreading on pasture/crops.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

Picloram 100 g/L + Triclopyr 300 g/L + Aminopyralid 8 g/L (Grazon® Extra)
Rate: 350 mL per 100 L water
Comments: Spray autumn to winter. Agricultural non-crop areas, Commercial and industrial areas, forests, pastures and rights of way.
Withholding period: Where product is used to control woody weeds in pastures there is a restriction of 12 weeks for use of treated pastures for making hay and silage; using hay or other plant material for compost, mulch or mushroom substrate; or using animal waste from animals grazing on treated pastures for compost, mulching, or spreading on pasture/crops.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

Picloram 240 g/L with Triclopyr 750 g/L (Picoflex®)
Rate: 105 g/L picloram plus 100 mL triclopyr per 100 L water
Comments: Spring to mid-summer prior to podding. Apply as a thorough foliage spray.
Withholding period: Not required if used as directed.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

Picloram 240 g/L with Triclopyr 750 g/L (Picoflex®)
Rate: 145 mL Picloram plus 140 mL triclopyr (750) per 100 L Water
Comments: Autumn to Winter. Apply as a thorough foliage spray.
Withholding period: Not required if used as directed.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

Picloram 44.7 g/L + Aminopyralid 4.47 g/L (Vigilant II ®)
Rate: Undiluted
Comments: Cut the stems close to the ground (10 cm or less). Apply a 3–5 mm layer of gel onto stems less than 2 cm diameter. Apply 5 mm layer on stems above 2 cm diameter.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

Triclopyr 600 g/L (Garlon® 600)
Rate: 170 mL per 100 L of water
Comments: Spray spring to summer prior to pod formation.
Withholding period: Not required when used as directed. If use is off-label check permit.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

Biosecurity duty

The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.

Area	Duty
All of NSW	General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable.
All of NSW	Prohibition on certain dealings Must not be imported into the state, sold, bartered, exchanged or offered for sale.
Murray	Regional Recommended Measure * (for Regional Priority - Prevention) Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling, growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant. Notify local control authority if found.
	*To see the Regional Strategic Weeds Management Plans containing demonstrated outcomes that fulfil the general biosecurity duty for this weed click here

For technical advice and assistance with identification please contact your local council weeds officer.

Reviewed 2026