Caragana arborescens (Common Caragana) - photos and description
Origin: Introduced.
General: Shrub or small tree introduced to Saskatchewan in shelterbelts and as an ornamental. Stipules spine-tipped, developing into spines along the stem.
Invasive, I know of two parks in Saskatchewan that are trying to control this plant's spread.
Flowers: Flowers are numerous in clusters, 1 to 4, bright yellow. We measured flowers 20 to 25 mm long.
Leaves: Leaves alternate and in tight clusters along the stem, are pinnate, usually with 12 leaflets. Leaflets oblong to obovate and have a small, acute tip. We measured a leaf at 7 cm long, and a leaflet at 25 mm long by 10 mm wide. Leaflets and petioles have soft white hairs.
Height: Height listed in Budd's Flora to 4 m.
Habitat: Habitat is open woods, stream banks, shelterbelts.
Abundance: Common
When and where photographed: We took the above photos on June 8th, woodland in the Condie nature reserve, 10 km northwest of our home in Regina, SK.