• East view from Crissy Field overlook with old Coast Guard station on left and city on right

    Presidio of San Francisco

    California

French Broom

(Genista monspessulana)
 
french broom
French Broom on the Main Post.
Will Elder, NPS
 

Origin Of Genus Name: Genista is from the Latin words planta genista, from which English Plantagenet monarchs took their name.

Presidio Locations: Found in disturbed areas.

Range In State: Throughout coastal California.

Description: This exotic perennial shrub from the Mediterranean region has clusters of 4 to 10 yellow flowers at the end of green stems. The leaves contain 3 leaflets and the hairy seed pods resemble those of other members of the Pea Family. French Broom can reach up to 10 feet in height and is highly aggressive, having the ability to thrive in both disturbed and undisturbed areas.

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Did You Know?

The Presidio Fire Station

In the aftermath of a tragic fire that killed four family members of General John Pershing, the army built a fire station at the Presidio.  The new Presidio Fire Station was the first on any U.S. Army post to house a permanent fire company with trained firefighters.