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Spartium junceum

Species category

Weed

Common name

Spanish broom, weaver's broom 

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

Circular to obovateObovate:
Inverted egg shaped with apical end the broadest.

Size

  • Length 3–4 mm
  • Width 2–4 mm
  • Thickness 1.5–2 mm

Color

Light brown

Texture

Smooth

Other structures

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
 is on margin with remnant of funiculusFuniculus:
The stalk that connects an ovule (seed) to the placenta of the ovary wall.
 (arilAril:
An outgrowth of the ovule or funiculus.
).

Identification notes

Seeds somewhat irregular in size. A remnant of the funiculusFuniculus:
The stalk that connects an ovule (seed) to the placenta of the ovary wall.
 (arilAril:
An outgrowth of the ovule or funiculus.
) appears to be protruding from the hilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
.

Noxious weed seed categories

State Noxious Weed: California, Hawaii

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Fabaceae

Valid name

Spartium junceum L.

Spartium junceum. True seeds with a remnant of the funiculus (aril) that appears to be protruding from the hilum. Photo courtesy of Colorado State University, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.
Spartium junceum. True seeds with a remnant of the funiculus (aril) that appears to be protruding from the hilum. Photo courtesy of Colorado State University, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences.