Ulex gallii Planchon (Leguminosae) Western Gorse. Native of the Atlantic coast of Europe from Scotland and Ireland to Brittany and N. W. Spain, on sandy and rocky acid heaths, flowering in July-September. Evergreen spiny shrub to 1 m. Differs from common Gorse, U. europaeus, in its late flowering, deeper yellow flowers and narrower bracteoles 1.5 mm wide, and from the autumn-flowering U. minor Roth, by its longer calyx more than 10 mm, and standard 12.5-16 mm. Acid soil; full sun. Hardy to -15°C.

Photograph: Ulex gallii, Dartmoor SW England, in August.