Common broom

Common broom

Cytisus scoparius

White Spanish broom

Cytisus multiflorus

Common broom has solitary or paired bright yellow flowers along angular green stems, whereas white Spanish broom bears clusters of white flowers on a leafier shrub.

Common broom

Cytisus scoparius

Gorse

Ulex europaeus

Common broom has no spines and its stems are flexible and angular, whereas gorse is bristling with rigid spines all over.

Common broom

Cytisus scoparius

Spanish broom

Spartium junceum

Both have green stems and fragrant bright yellow flowers, but common broom has angular stems with 5 ridges clearly noticeable to the touch, whereas Spanish broom has round, smooth, almost rush-like stems; its flowering is also later (summer) and much more fragrant.

Common broom

Cytisus scoparius

Dyer's greenweed

Genista tinctoria

Common broom is taller (up to 2.5 m), almost leafless, its angular green stems carrying out most of the photosynthesis, whereas dyer's greenweed stays low (rarely more than 1 m) and keeps small, clearly visible lanceolate leaves all summer.