Common Name: Gorse

General Information

Ulex europaeus is a very prickly, erect, evergreen shrub usually growing up to 2 metres tall, occasionally to 3 metres. In some areas where it has been introduced, such as New Zealand, plants up to 7 metres tall are not uncommon[]. The plant is densely branched, especially when young, but eventually becomes bare at the base; it often forms dense, impenetrable thickets.
The plant is gathered from the wild for local use, mainly as a source of materials but also sometimes as a food and medicine. It can be grown as an impenetrable hedge, to stabilize the soil and also as a pioneer species when restoring native woodland.
Ulex europaeus has a wide natural distribution and is considered to be a native endemic to western Europe, primary in Atlantic coastal areas. There are no major known threats to the species and the population is believed to be stable. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].
A fast growing plant that can quickly invade open areas, gorse was spread intentionally through most of the world by humans as a useful plant in the 19th and 20th centuries. It has escaped from cultivation and has become invasive in many of these areas. The plant spreads itself by means of seed, which is ejected explosively for some metres from seedpods - it cannot, therefore, easily spread great distances without human agency. It can produce large numbers of seeds, and these can remain viable in the soil for up to 28 years - thus large seedbanks can be built up in the soil. The plant can form large, monotypic stands that crowd out native vegetation and can become a serious fire risk, though it has also been noted that these stands can become an excellent nursery area for native trees to germinate and become established, thus helping to restore native woodland[, , ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Western Europe - Britain, Ireland. Portugal, Spain, France, Nederlands, Germany, Spain, Italy. Naturalized in many other parts of Europe and N. Africa

Habitat

Moors, commons and heaths, preferring dry soils[, ].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Beetles
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Gorse is native to the temperate zone in western Europe, but has spread widely through the temperate zone and into the subtropics and at generally higher elevations in the tropics, where it is said to grow at elevations up to 3,000 metres or more. It is said to be hardy to about -20°c[], though it often suffers badly in severe winters[, ], but the plants usually recover[].
An easily grown plant, it requires a poor soil and a sunny position to be at its best[]. It does well on dry sunny banks or in poor gravelly soils[]. It is intolerant of shade, nor does it do well on rich soils, where it can be out-competed by other species[, ]. Prefers a neutral to slightly acid soil, growing well where the pH is around 4 - 5[, ], and disliking alkaline soils[]. Plants are very intolerant of root disturbance[]. Very tolerant of maritime exposure and, once established, drought[, , ].
A fast-growing plant that can sometimes spread quickly by seeds and form thickets.
Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can resprout freely from old wood. They usually get top-killed by fire but, except in severe fires, will usually grow back quickly from the base as well as regenerating by seed in the soil[].
Plants often accumulate dry dead spines at their centre, this can be a fire risk in dry summers[, ]. The plants often resprout from the base after a fire[] and, even if killed, numerous seedlings will soon spring up to replace the dead plants[].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[].
The flowers are strongly scented of coconut[]. Another report says that the flowers have a smell of vanilla with undertones of orange or pineapple[]. It is one of the most refreshing of all flower scents[].
A food plant for the caterpillars of several lepidoptera species[]. Plants often form dense thickets and these are ideal nesting areas for many species of birds[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria 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[].

Edible Uses

The flower buds are pickled in vinegar and then used like capers in salads[].

A tea is made from the shoot tips[, ].

Medicinal

Gorse has never played much of a role in herbal medicine, though its flowers have been used in the treatment of jaundice and as a treatment for scarlet fever in children[].

The seed is said to be astringent and has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea and stones[].

The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Hopelessness' and 'Despair'[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Gorse is very tolerant of maritime exposure, it can be used as a windbreak hedge in the most exposed positions, making an impenetrable barrier with its vicious thorns[, , , ].
Planted for soil stabilization on sandy substrates[], it is a very good species for stabilizing roadside banks on poor soils[]. It can also be grown on mine waste sites where it helps to stabilize the soil and create conditions for other plants to grow[].
Gorse is an excellent pioneer species for poor soils and areas with maritime exposure. It is fast-growing, feeds the soil with nitrogen and provides good conditions for woodland trees to become established. These trees will eventually out-compete the gorse, which is unable to reproduce well in the shady conditions and will thus gradually die out[]. The plant should only be used within its native range, however, due to its potential invasiveness, and it should be remembered that it can pose a fire hazard in areas with hot, dry summers[].
The flowers are a good forage for bees[].

Other Uses

A beautiful yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[]. It is orange according to another report[].

The plant has an old reputation as a pesticide, the soaked seed being used against fleas[].

The ashes from the burnt wood are rich in potassium and can be used in making soap[, ]. This soap can be made by mixing the ashes with a vegetable oil, or mixing them with clay and forming them into balls[].
The ashes are also an excellent fertilizer[, ].

The wood burns very well, it was much used in the past for kindling, heating bakers ovens etc[, ]. It has potential for use in biomass projects[].

Propagation

Seed - it normally self-sows freely and does not need help. The seed can be pre-soaked for 24 hours in hot water that is allowed to cool and then either sown in situ or sown in individual pots in a greenhouse in late winter to early spring. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Grow the potted plants on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Plants are very intolerant of root disturbance and so should be planted into their permanent positions as soon as possible, though not until after the last expected frosts[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame. Pot up in spring as soon as rooting commences and plant out into their permanent positions as soon as possible[].