The broom grows as a shrub up to about two metres tall, has large, bright, lemon-yellow pea-like flowers and green branchlets. Its leaves are divided into three oval leaflets and arranged alternately on the five-angled shoots. However, the leaves are soon lost as the branchlets mature. Its flowers are about two centimetres long and its seed capsules are black, with brown hairs along the edges, and 2.5 to four centimetres in length.

It occurs in dry heathy places, open woods, on dry banks and roadsides and is widespread throughout Ireland but rarely common. It occurs through Europe, growing on light lime-free soils only. The broom obtained its name from the former use of its branches for making brushes. A rare prostrate form with silky leaves is found on a few coastal cliffs and is worth looking out for. A wide range of European species and cultivated varieties are grown in Irish gardens.