Ulex europaeus
| Ulex europaeus | |
 | |
| Ulex europaeus in full flower. | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 6 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-7.3 |
| Height: | 5' |
| Width: | 5' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Mid Winter-Early Winter |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer Shelter | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Ulex europaeus (common name: gorse)
Propagation: 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[1].
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[1].
Cultivation: An easily grown plant, it requires a poor soil and a sunny position to be at its best[2]. It does well on dry sunny banks or in poor gravelly soils[2]. It is intolerant of shade, nor does it do well on rich soils[2][3]. Prefers a neutral to slightly acid soil[4], disliking alkaline soils[5]. Plants are very intolerant of root disturbance[2]. Very tolerant of maritime exposure and, once established, drought[6][7][4].
Although native to Britain and said to be hardy to about -20°c[8], gorse often suffers badly in severe winters[9][5], but the plants usually recover[7]. They often accumulate dry dead spines at their centre, this can be a fire risk in dry summers[7][4]. The plants often resprout from the base after a fire[4] and, even if killed, numerous seedlings will soon spring up to replace the dead plants[7].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[4].
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[10]. It is one of the most refreshing of all flower scents[10].
A food plant for the caterpillars of several lepidoptera species[11]. Plants often form dense thickets and these are ideal nesting areas for many species of birds[7].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].
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[4].
Range: Western Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia to Spain.
Habitat: Moors, commons and heaths, preferring dry soils[9][2].
Edibility: The flower buds are pickled in vinegar and then used like capers in salads[12].
A tea is made from the shoot tips[13][12].
Medicinal: 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[9].
The seed is said to be astringent and has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea and stones[9].
The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Hopelessness' and 'Despair'[14].
Usage: A beautiful yellow dye is obtained from the flowers[9]. It is orange according to another report[15].
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[9][16][6][4].
Planted for soil stabilization on sandy substrates[4], it is very good for stabilizing roadside banks on poor soils[7]. 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[9].
The wood burns very well, it was much used in the past for kindling, heating bakers ovens etc[2][17]. The ashes from the burnt wood are rich in potassium and can be used in making soap[9][18]. This soap can be made by mixing the ashes with a vegetable oil, or mixing them with clay and forming them into balls[9]. The ashes are also an excellent fertilizer[9][18].
Pollinators: Bees, flies, beetles
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
In Leaf: Evergreen
Seed Ripens: Mid Winter-Early Winter
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Rosewarne Experimental Horticultural Station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, 1984.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Beckett, Kenneth and Gillian Beckett. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold, 1979.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 9.9 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Carter, David. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan, 1982.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Chancellor, Philip. Illustrated Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies. C W Daniel, 1985.
- ↑ Grae, Ida. Nature's Colors. MacMillan Publishing, 1974.
- ↑ Arnold-Forster, William. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.
- ↑ Freethy, Ron. From Agar to Zenery. The Crowood Press, 1985.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Sowerby, John. The Useful Plants of Great Britain. 1862.