Gorse (Ulex) also known as furze or whin is a genus of plants of the family Leguminosae, native to western Europe. They are low shrubby plants, the common gorse (Ulex europicus) having a stem generally 80 cm to one metre high, much branched and most of the leaves converted into spines. The flowers are solitary and yellow. The fruits are hairy pods. The common gorse is often very abundant in barren, heathy, sandy, and gravelly soils throughout the west of Europe. It often covers exclusively large tracts of country, and makes a splendid appearance when in flower. It was formerly used for fuel, and sometimes the tops of the branches were used (especially the young tops) as fodder for horses and cattle, after having been beaten or bruised to soften the prickles. The dwarf-furze (Ulex nanus) is found in many parts of the British Isles. Research Gorse
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Nature
Research Gorse
