Ulex L. (1753), the gorse, in the family Leguminosae subfamily Papilionoideae, contains around 20 species in Europe and North Africa. Description Shrubs to 3m, with sharp spines formed by short shoots. The leaves are alternate, pinnate, with 3 leaflets on seedlings, later reduced to narrow scales or spines, falling early in the season to leave the plant bare. The flowers are pea-like, solitary or in small clusters, yellow, scented. Sepals 5, joined and split to form 2 usually hairy, petal-like, pointed lobes. Petals 5, unequal, the uppermost a broad, folded standard, the 2 outer narrow wings, asymmetrical at the base, the 2 lowest forming a rounded keel that encloses the stamens, style, and ovary. Stamens 10, joined in the lower half. Ovary superior, with 1 carpel containing 1–6 ovules; style 1. Pollination is by bees, which release the trigger-like style and are dusted with pollen at the same time. The pods are hairy, with 1–6 seeds, depending on the species. Key Recognition Features The spiny shoots and the petal-like calyx. Evolution and Relationships Stauracanthus Link, with 2 species from Spain, Portugal, and North Africa, is spiny like Ulex, but has opposite or subopposite leaves and the calyx tubular at the base.
Ecology and Geography On open hillsides and moorland, especially in areas subject to fire; 7 species in southwestern Europe, of which 3 extend to Britain; others in North Africa. Comment Common gorse (Ulex europaeus L.) is a conspicuous flower of poor soils in early spring from Ireland eastwards to Italy; the flowers have a heavy, sweet, and buttery scent, reminiscent of coconut. Small gorse (U. minor Roth.) and western gorse (U. gallii Planch.) flower in late summer and autumn; they are generally lower shrubs, and are especially striking when mixed in and flowering with the magenta-flowered bell heather, Erica cinerea. |
