French broom
Genista monspessulana
Fabaceae

Every time I see brooms alongside the roads, I am inexplicably reminded of the early spring yellow forsythias in Ohio. While not quite as all-over yellow as the forsythias, brooms are definitely spring bloomers. There are several species of brooms in our area, most non-native and a couple natives. From past visits to our local annual wildflower show in April, I remember them being named after European origins (Spanish, Scotch, Portuguese...).