Gorse

B Brown Bergman

Plant Bio

Common Name:Gorse
Family:Fabaceae
Genus:Ulex
Species:europaeus L.
Classification/Rank:Extremely Invasive
Method of Transportation:Explosive seeds pods expel seeds several feet away. Seeds can be transported by water, machinery, animals, ants and humans.
Habitat/Range:Grows on dry, sandy or open rocky clearings, logged areas, roadsides and coastal bluffs.

Description

Gorse has bright yellow pea-like flowers that grow on a spiny ever green shrub. The shrub can grow up to 3 m tall and usually has a single densely branched upright stem. It grows rapidly for 15 years can has a lifespan up to 45 years.

Gorse is a pioneer species in successional forests. It can easily take over a cut-block and prevent the growth of native species. This spiny plant reduces access to recreation in areas where it is dense and can increase fire hazzards.

For more information on Gorse visis the Weeds BC Gorse webpage. To inquire about this plant in the Northwest call 1-866-44WEEDS or to report this plant use the Report-A-Weed application.

News

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