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gorse	USDA PLANTS Symbol: ULEU USDA ARS GRIN: 40812 ITIS: 27013 NAPIS: PCQBZBA
Ulex europaeus L.
Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Fabales: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Synonym(s): furze, whin, common gorse
Gorse is an evergreen, perennial shrub native to Europe. Plants can grow from 3-6 ft. (1-2 m) in height. Shoots are covered with reddish-brown to grey hairs. Leaves are spine-like and 0.25-0.75 in. (0.6-1.9 cm) long. Mature shrubs have 1 in. (2.5 cm) long spines on the branches. Flowering occurs from winter to early spring, when shiny, yellow flowers develop in the axils of the leaves. Flowers are 1 in. (2.5 cm) long and fruits are hairy, 0.5-1 in. (1.3-2.5 cm) long pods. Gorse was introduced into North America in the mid-to-late 1800s as an ornamental. Plants invade gravel bars, logged areas and other disturbed areas. Plants cannot tolerate extremely dry areas or areas with extreme temperatures.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy

Selected Images from Invasive.org

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Feature(s); stem Norman E. Rees, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Feature(s); thorny habit Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; George Markin, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); flowers Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Feature(s); spikes Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); flowers Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Eric Coombs, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); flowers Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s); flowers Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); flowers Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); seed pods Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); seed pods Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s); flowers Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); flowers Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); habit and flowers Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); habit Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s); habit Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); habit Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); habit Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); flowers Forest & Kim Starr, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Seed(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Diagram or Graphic; Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 349. USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Taxonomic References:

USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

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