Yellow Broom, is an upright, summer deciduous shrub with flexible stems and a deep root system. The plant remains leafless for most of the year, photosynthesis being carried out by the green stems. It usually grows between 100–300 cm tall.

It is a multipurpose plant, widely used in the past for a variety of purposes as a medicine and source of various materials. The branches are used to make baskets, with a technique similar to that used for willows. The flowers are a good source of nectar for bees, and a specific broom honey is produced in the Canary Islands and in the southern half of Andalusia from these plants.

It is very drought resistant and is a pioneer species, useful when reforesting native woodlands and semi-arid environments. Usually planted in association with native trees, especially Quercus ilex and Pinus pinea. It has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, which are able to form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant, but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.

It can easily be confused with the white broom (Retama monosperma) out of the flowering period. But, it has a more upright character, whereas R. monosperma has a weeping appearance.