Scotch Broom
Don’t let the buttery yellow petals on this plant fool you: It chokes out native plants that are crucial for North American ecosystems. Scotch broom is native to Europe and North Africa and was probably introduced to North America sometime in the 1800s, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The plant usually grows 3 to 5 feet tall, but it can reach up to 10 feet. It’s found all over the East and West Coasts, but it’s not as common in the center of the country, says the National Park Service. The flowering shrub is beautiful, yes, but it often takes over pastures and isn’t edible for livestock. So, despite its glorious flowers, this plant must be eliminated.
