Share 2. It is also the largest species, reaching 2–3 metres (7–10 ft) in height; this compares with typically 20–40 centimetres (8–16 in) for western gorse (Ulex gallii). Synonyms for gorse include furze, whin, thistle, nettle, brier, spray, thorn, hedge, cleaver and shrub. Family: Legume. As fodder, gorse is high in protein[13] and may be used as feed for livestock, particularly in winter when other greenstuff is not available. Windy, open moors covered in bright yellow, spiky Common gorse bushes and purple heathers are synonymous with what we call 'wild' landscapes, but it can be seen in many habitats, from coast to town. Like Gorse, it has bright yellow flowers, but it doesn't have any spines and smells of vanilla. Regionally prohibited in the East Gippsland catchment. Irish/Gaelic Plant Name: Giolcach shléibhe. Ulex (commonly known as gorse, furze or whin) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae. Binomial name. Gorse pods Extraction and storage. Rank Scientific Name and Common Name; Kingdom: Plantae ... gorse, furze. 3. Dense gorse growth provides a harbour for rabbits and is a fire hazard. In many areas of North America (notably California and Oregon), southern South America, Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii, the common gorse, introduced as an ornamental plant or hedge, has become an invasive species due to its aggressive seed dispersal; it has proved very difficult to eradicate and detrimental in native habitats. 5. The burnt stumps also readily sprout new growth from the roots. The soft, hairy buds form into new flowers. Scientific Family: Fabaceae. Gorse thrives in poor growing areas and conditions including drought;[10] it is sometimes found on very rocky soils,[11] where many species cannot thrive. Thousands of new, high-quality pictures added every day. 4. The prolific gorse and bracken would be cut, dried and stored to be used as fuel, with farmhouses having purpose built furze ovens.[15][16]. Common name: Gorse, furze or whin Scientific name: Ulex Europaea Welsh name:Eithinen Ffrengig: Family group: Fabaceae Flowers of Common Gorse – Ulex Europaea Common gorse is the only species native to much of western Europe, where it grows in sunny sites, usually on dry, sandy soils. Quick Facts. Gorse Botanical name: Ulex europaeus Family name: Fabaceae Overview. However, gorse is a tough, tenacious shrub that spreads quickly and can become invasive.Read on for more gorse bush facts and … Noxious weed seed and plant quarantine U.S. Weed Information; Ulex europaeus . This protects the plant from drought because such leaves don’t lose much water. Typical fire recurrence periods in gorse stands are 5–20 years. For kissing there’s room, when the gorse is in broom – that’s Yorkshire [Tooting Common, London, March 1999]. Gorse is considered by many to be New Zealand’s worst scrub weed. The common name “Gorse” is derived from the Old English word “gorst”, which means “a wasteland” or uncultivated area. How to identify Gorse Download your free seed harvest handbook. Gallery: Common names: European gorse, common gorse, furze, whin Scientific Name: Ulex europaeus Description: Gorse is a stout, thorny evergreen shrub in the Fabaceae (pea) family. The species are native to parts of western Europe and northwest Africa, with the majority of species in Iberia. They are members of Faboideae, a subfamily of Fabaceae which is the Pea family. The Plants Database includes the following 3 species of Ulex .Click below on a thumbnail map or name for species profiles. The flowers are yellow, fragrant and pea- shaped, and they form clusters at the […] The scientific name was derived from the from the Celtic “ec” or “ac”, meaning “a prickle”, in reference to the prickley branches of the species. Seed has a high viability and production is prolific. The 15-20mm long flowers, with their wonderful aroma of coco nut, are borne on stems of spiny bluish-green spike s. The species are native to parts of western Europe and northwest Africa, with the majority of species in Iberia. Broom is often be mistaken with Gorse/Furze/Whin (above). [2] All the species have yellow flowers, generally showy, some with a very long flowering season. In 1840 there were 2 Gorse families living in New York. whin. In many parts of Britain, especially Devon and Cornwall where it is particularly prevalent on the moors, the expression "kissing's out of fashion when the gorse is out of blossom"[19] is a traditional jest as common gorse is thought to be always in bloom. Scientific Plant Name: Cytisus scoparius. Windy, open moors covered in bright yellow, spiky Common gorse bushes and purple heathers are synonymous with what we call 'wild' landscapes, but it can be seen in many habitats, from coast to town. Gorse is a restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014.; It must not be given away, sold, or released into the environment without a permit. There are three species of gorse in Britain. The gorse seed weevil Exapion ulicis was the first biological control agent used against U. europaeus. Ulex minor grows only about 30 centimetres (12 in) tall, a habit characteristic of sandy lowland heathland. Common name: Gorse Scientific name: Ulex europaeus Status: Declared: must be controlled, banned from sale. Gorse has been listed as one of the 38 plants that are used to prepare Bach flower remedies,[17] a kind of alternative medicine. Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae) Origin: native. The most widely familiar species is common gorse (Ulex europaeus), the only species native to much of western Europe, where it grows in sunny sites, usually on dry, sandy soils. The most Gorse families were found in the UK in 1891. ‘When gorse is in bloom, kissing is in season.’ There are many variations of this country saying but the truth is that gorse is never really out of flower, s… In many places outside of Europe (including the United States), common gorse is considered an invasive species. The leaves of young plants are trifoliate, but in mature plants they are reduced to scales or small spines. New York had the highest population of Gorse … Flowering season: January to June. Introduced to New Zealand in 1931, it was widely established by 1935 ( Miller, 1970 ) and has destroyed approximately 35% of the seed crop annually since then ( Cowley, 1983 ). Irish Name Translated: Mountain Reed. U. europaeus. You'll get a fun kids wildlife magazine packed…, Flower-rich grasslands, once a part of every farm, are part of our culture. Scientific Name: Ulex europaeus. Between the different species, some gorse is almost always in flower, hence the old country phrase: "When gorse is out of blossom, kissing's out of fashion". LIFE FORM: Shrub FEDERAL LEGAL STATUS: No special status OTHER STATUS: Common gorse is listed as a noxious weed in Washington, … Gorse, or rather furze as it was usually known in the West Country, sprigs were a traditional May Day gift between young lovers in the region, when in fact the blossom is at its peak. This latter species is characteristic of highly exposed Atlantic coastal heathland and montane habitats. Gorse may grow as a fire-climax plant, well adapted to encourage and withstand fires, being highly flammable,[9] and having seed pods that are to a large extent opened by fire, thus allowing rapid regeneration after fire. Picking. Scientific name: Ulex europaeus Size: Grows to a height of 200cm Distribution: Found throughout the UK Flowering Months: All year Habitat: Heathland, roadsides, scrubland Special features: An evergreen shrub covered with rigid spines.There are three varieties of gorse found in the UK; the Common Gorse (shown above), the Western Furze (Ulex gallii) and the Dwarf Furze (Ulex minor). 3. Gorse can grow 1-3 metres in height at maturity. The dry wood of dead gorse stems provides food for the caterpillars of the concealer moth Batia lambdella. gorse whin TAXONOMY: The scientific name of common gorse is Ulex europaeus L. (Fabaceae) [28,33,36,43,84]. Both are coloured a vivid yellow and similarly shaped. If the Welsh be like the furze fire, then, pardieu! It has erect, spreading, angular branches that are covered in 1/2 – 2 inch spines. Scientific name: Ulex europaeus L. Common Name: Gorse, Furze Additional information about Gorse is located on the Agriculture Victoria website - including plant … Tweet. "Common gorse" (scientific name: ulex europaeus) is native to Europe and is the variety most likely to be found on British Open links. Gorse stem miner (Anisoplaca ptyoptera), lemon tree borer (Oemona hirta) The gorse stem miner is present throughout the South Island while the lemon tree borer is more prevalent in the northern regions of both South and North Islands Find a heathland and listen out for their scratchy song, spy them shadowing…, Family Wildlife Trust membership, great for ideas for things to do with the kids. The Gorse family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The furze is the badge of the Sinclair and MacLennan clans of Scotland. Click on a scientific name below to expand it in the PLANTS Classification Report. Gorse is amazing at adapting to its environment: its sharp spikes protect it from hungry animals; its flowers attract pollinators with their bright yellow petals and coconut-like fragrance; and its seeds pop out when they are ripe. Gorse stands are often managed by regular burning or flailing, allowing them to regrow from stumps or seed. Watch out for the sharp spines. The Wildlife Trusts is a movement made up of 46 Wildlife Trusts: independent charities with a shared mission. 2. Ulex (commonly known as gorse, furze or whin) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae. The flower, known as chorima in the Galician language, is considered the national flower of Galicia in northwest Spain. Scientific name: Ulex europaeus. Common gorse is also an invasive species in the montane grasslands of Horton Plains National Park in Sri Lanka.[12]. Common gorse Ulex europaeus is the most familiar and widespread, and has the most robust growth character. Maturing seedpods explode and disperse up to 18,000 seeds per mature plant. Western gorse and dwarf furze flower in late summer (August–September in Ireland and Great Britain). We used to pick gorse flowers to dye our Easter eggs. A Dale is a valley, the word is particularly common in Yorkshire, England. Find more similar words at wordhippo.com! Ulex europaeus. View Full Size Image. What is a gorse bush? The flowers are sometimes eaten by the caterpillars of the double-striped pug moth (Gymnoscelis rufifasciata), while those of the case-bearer moth Coleophora albicosta feed exclusively on gorse. Gorse wood has been used to make small objects; being non-toxic, it is especially suited for cutlery. It was originally introduced to New Zealand as a hedge species, but now occupies large areas of hill-country, reducing the area … Scientific name: Ulex europaeus. [14], In the island of Guernsey, Channel Islands, many traditional farms had furze brakes. This was 100% of all the recorded Gorse's in the USA. Moreover, it is widely used for land reclamation (e.g., mine tailings), where its nitrogen-fixing capacity helps other plants establish better. Compare this with the broom (planta genista) as the emblem and basis of the name of the Plantagenet kings of England. Since gorse grows mainly by the ocean, water is a common carrier for seeds. Only the flowers and flower buds are considered edible and in small quantities. 1. Related links: Gorse weed management guide; Gorse control video; Gorse weed CRC management guide; Successfully tackling Gorse at Inglewood Gorse can flower at any time of year. In the eastern part of Great Britain, dwarf furze (Ulex minor) replaces western gorse. Common name: common gorse. For other uses, see, "Whin" redirects here. [citation needed]. Gorse seeds are easily distributed by ants, animals, birds, and machinery. Gorse is a valuable plant for wildlife, providing dense thorny cover ideal for protecting bird nests. Habitat: woodland rides, under-grazed pastures and … In Britain, France and Ireland, it is particularly noted for supporting Dartford warblers (Sylvia undata) and European stonechats (Saxicola rubicola); the common name of the whinchat (Saxicola rubetra) attests to its close association with gorse. Gorse (Ulex europaeus) is an evergreen shrub with green leaves shaped like conifer needles and brilliant yellow flowers.Flowering gorse shrubs are important in nature since they provide shelter and food for many insects and birds. Pin 2. Information: Another introduced hedge plant which is spread by seeds which are ejected from the plant by bursting pods and distributed by birds. Gorse is an evergreen plant with spiny branches and trifoliate leaves with thin spine-like leaves. There are three species of this thorny evergreen growing in the UK, Common, Western and Dwarf Gorse. But Broom is softer to the touch. L. Ulex europaeus ( gorse, common gorse, furze or whin) is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to the British Isles and Western Europe. Throughout the year, the rich yellow peaflowers seem to light up the Irish landscape. During July and August, pick the pods carefully from the bushes. 11 [Coming soon] Featuring: (North/Whins) Darran Anderson, Jonathan C. Creasy, Alan Cunningham, Jarlath Gregory, Róisín Power Hackett, Nathan O’Donnell, Bridget Penney, Lee Rourke, Rike Scheffler & SJ Fowler. gorse. Gorse is closely related to the brooms, and like them, has green stems and very small leaves and is adapted to dry growing conditions. Most have developed alongside humans because of livestock…, The Wildlife Trusts: Protecting Wildlife for the Future. Unusually, Dartford warblers stay in the UK all year round. Genus of flowering plant in the pea and bean family Fabaceae, "Furze" redirects here. [3] Gorse flowers have a distinctive coconut scent, experienced very strongly by some individuals, but weakly by others. In spite of its durability it is not used for construction because the plant is too small and the wood is unstable, being prone to warping. Windy, open moors covered in bright yellow, spiky Common gorse bushes and purple heathers are synonymous with what we call 'wild' landscapes, but it can be seen in many habitats, from coast to town. Where fire is excluded, gorse soon tends to be shaded out by taller-growing trees, unless other factors like exposure also apply. Gorse bushes are highly flammable, and in many areas bundles of gorse were used to fire traditional bread ovens. Kissing is out of season when the gorse is out of bloom. Scientific name: Cytisus scoparius Broom is a large shrub of heaths, open woodlands and coastal habitats. Registered charity number 207238. [citation needed] Gorse is also eaten as forage by some livestock, such as feral ponies, which may eat little else in winter. The genus comprises about 20 species of thorny evergreen shrubs in the subfamily Faboideae of the pea family Fabaceae. That was in north London [Balham, London, July 2004]. Common gorse. Ponies may also eat the thinner stems of burnt gorse. Whether you know it as Gorse, Furze or Whin, this must be our most remarkable native shrub. Denser areas of gorse may be bulldozed. However it differs in its extreme thorniness, the shoots being modified into branched thorns 1–4 centimetres (0.4–1.6 in) long, which almost wholly replace the leaves as the plant's functioning photosynthetic organs. Scientific Name: Ulex europaeus. Common gorse flowers a little in late autumn and through the winter, coming into flower most strongly in spring. For Petty Whin, see, Species names with uncertain taxonomic status, Biological control of gorse in New Zealand, "Reconstructing the deep-branching relationships of the papilionoid legumes", "When the gorse is out of bloom, kissing's out of fashion", "Richard Mabey, a writer dropping down to see the natural world", "Ulex europaeus Gorse, Common gorse PFAF Plant Database", "Experimental Archaeology Site at Tunstall", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ulex&oldid=996471939, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2017, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2009, Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica with Wikisource reference, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 26 December 2020, at 20:28. Common name: Gorse; Scientific name: Ulex europaeus L. Other common name: Furze; Plant status Catchment management authority boundaries. the Scotch are the peat, for they will smolder and you will never come to the end of them."[18]. The genus comprises about 20 species of thorny evergreen shrubs in the subfamily Faboideae of the pea family Fabaceae. [4][5], Ulex comprises the following species:[6][7][8], The status of the following species is unresolved:[8], The following hybrids have been described:[8]. Gorse (also called Furze or Whin) is an evergreen shrub belonging to the Ulex genus. Traditionally it was used as fodder for cattle, being made palatable either by "bruising" (crushing) with hand-held mallets, or grinding to a moss-like consistency with hand- or water-driven mills, or being finely chopped and mixed with straw chaff. Gorse is useful for garden ornaments because it is resistant to weather and rot. The Act requires everyone to take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risks associated with invasive plants and animals under their control. Gorse readily becomes dominant in suitable conditions, and where this is undesirable for agricultural or ecological reasons control is required, either to remove gorse completely, or to limit its extent. Regionally controlled in the Wimmera, North Central, West Gippsland, Goulburn Broken, North East Corangamite, Glenelg Hopkins, Port Phillip and Western Port catchments. The gorse is also the emblem of Brittany and is regaining popularity in Cornwall, particularly on St Piran's Day. gorse no. Gorse flowers are edible and can be used in salads, tea and to make a non-grape-based fruit wine. 1930s, Midlands [New Malden, Surrey, January 1998]. Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI), Different types of protected wildlife sites. 2. Growing rapidly for the first 15 years, gorse can live up to 45 years. 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