Practical
Plants

Ulex europaeus

Gorse

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Ulex genus in the family Leguminosae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Ulex
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
1.5 m
Spread
1.5 m
Fertility
Bees, Flies, Beetles
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Beetles

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The flower buds are pickled in vinegar and then used like capers in salads[7]. A tea is made from the shoot tips[5][7].

Plant part
Flowers
Product or use
Tea

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[14]. The seed is said to be astringent and has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea and stones[14]. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Hopelessness' and 'Despair'[11].

Product or use
Bach

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A beautiful yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[14]. It is orange according to another report[3]. 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[14][15][17][10]. Planted for soil stabilization on sandy substrates[10], it is very good for stabilizing roadside banks on poor soils[9]. 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[K]. The plant has an old reputation as a pesticide, the soaked seed being used against fleas[14]. The wood burns very well, it was much used in the past for kindling, heating bakers ovens etc[1][16]. The ashes from the burnt wood are rich in potassium and can be used in making soap[14][2]. This soap can be made by mixing the ashes with a vegetable oil, or mixing them with clay and forming them into balls[14]. The ashes are also an excellent fertilizer[14][2].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Fertilizer
Product or use
Fuel
Product or use
Insecticide
Product or use
Soap making

Environment

Range
Western Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia to Spain.
Habitat
Moors, commons and heaths, preferring dry soils[14][1].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure, drought
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - pre-soak 24 hours in hot water and sow in individual pots in a greenhouse in late winter to early spring. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them 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[18]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Pot up in spring as soon as rooting commences and plant out into their permanent positions as soon as possible[18].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant, it requires a poor soil and a sunny position to be at its best[1]. It does well on dry sunny banks or in poor gravelly soils[1]. It is intolerant of shade, nor does it do well on rich soils[1][6]. Prefers a neutral to slightly acid soil[10], disliking alkaline soils[4]. Plants are very intolerant of root disturbance[1]. Very tolerant of maritime exposure and, once established, drought[17][9][10]. Although native to Britain and said to be hardy to about -20°c[8], gorse often suffers badly in severe winters[14][4], but the plants usually recover[9]. They often accumulate dry dead spines at their centre, this can be a fire risk in dry summers[9][10]. The plants often resprout from the base after a fire[10] and, even if killed, numerous seedlings will soon spring up to replace the dead plants[9]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[10]. The flowers are strongly scented of coconut[K]. Another report says that the flowers have a smell of vanilla with undertones of orange or pineapple[12]. It is one of the most refreshing of all flower scents[12]. A food plant for the caterpillars of several lepidoptera species[13]. Plants often form dense thickets and these are ideal nesting areas for many species of birds[9]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[10]. 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[10].

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  2. Johnson. C. P. The Useful Plants of Great Britain.

    ↩1↩2

  3. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩

  4. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  6. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  8. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

    ↩

  9. Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  10. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  11. Chancellor. P. M. Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies C. W. Daniel Co. Ltd. 1985-00-00 ISBN 85207 002 0

    ↩

  12. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2

  13. Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-330-26642-x

    ↩

  14. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  15. Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.

    ↩

  16. Freethy. R. From Agar to Zenery. The Crowood Press 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-946284-51-2

    ↩

  17. Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1984-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  18. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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