Shrubs 1–6 m. Stems densely sericeous, hairs whitish to yellow-brown. Leaves petiolate; stip­ules persistent, 1.5–6 mm; petiole 5–10 mm; leaflets 3, blades obovate to oblanceolate or elliptic, 5–25 mm, base tapering to cuneate, apex obtuse to rounded, often mucronate, surfaces densely pubescent abaxially, sparsely lanate adaxially. Inflo­rescences 3–20-flowered, terminal, racemes, 15–70 mm; bracts 1–2.5 mm. Pedicels 2–4 mm. Flowers: calyx 4–8 mm, densely sericeous; banner widely ovate, 9–16 mm, glabrous; wings and keel slightly shorter than banner, wings glabrous, keel pubescent abaxially. Legumes narrowly oblong, 20–40 mm, sericeous. Seeds 3–6(–10), olive to brownish or black, orbicular, 2.5–3 mm; hilum red-orange.

Phenology: Flowering Apr–Aug.
Habitat: Disturbed areas.
Elevation: 0–700 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Introduced; Calif., Atlantic Islands (Madeira).

Discussion

Genista maderensis is known from Butte, El Dorado, Los Angeles, Monterey, and San Mateo counties.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.