European Gorse / Furze / Whin Ulex europaeus Aiteann gallda Family: Fabaceae Flowering time: All year, peak flowering April. Evergreen shrub. Native. Two-lipped yellow flowers, coconut-scented. Stems, thorns bluish-green. Very spiny, spines to 25mm, deep-furrowed. Leaves with three leaflets in young plants. Height: To 2m Prefers acidic soils, grasslands, heaths, wood edges. Widespread, but not on high mountains or very wet ground. Similar: Western/Autumn Gorse, U. gallii

     



Photograph immediately above: Western Gorse (left) and European Gorse (right).