European gorse (Ulex europaeus, Sp. Pl.: 241 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 241 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Ulex

Vegetable: False

Observations: W. & C. Europe, Algeria

Description

European gorse, known scientifically as Ulex europaeus, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. The species was first described in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carolus Linnaeus (L.).

This hardy, evergreen shrub is notable for its vibrant yellow flowers and dense, spiny foliage. Found primarily in Western and Central Europe, as well as in Algeria, European gorse thrives in a variety of environments, from coastal regions to upland areas.

The plant typically reaches heights of between 1 to 3 meters, making it a prominent feature in the landscapes it occupies. The yellow flowers, which are highly attractive to pollinators, blossom predominantly in spring and early summer, filling the air with a distinct coconut-like fragrance.

European gorse has a well-documented ability to adapt to different soil types, although it favors acidic, sandy soils. Its spiny branches provide effective protection against herbivores, while also offering a safe haven for birds and smaller wildlife.

Despite its resilience and ecological benefits, European gorse can be invasive outside its native range. It has the potential to outcompete local plant species, leading to reduced biodiversity. Managing its growth is crucial to prevent it from becoming dominant in non-native ecosystems.

In summary, European gorse (Ulex europaeus) is a striking and robust plant that plays a significant role in its native habitats. Its presence enriches the local biodiversity, although care must be taken to control its spread in non-native regions.

Common Names

Fin: (euroopan)piikkiherne
Swe: (euroopan)piikkiherne, ärttörne
Dan: almindelig tornblad, tornblad
Eng: common gorse, european gorse, furze, gorse, whin
Deu: gaspeldorn, gewöhnlicher stechginster, stechginster
Nor: gulltorn
Pol: kolcolist zachodni
Fra: ajonc, ajonc d’europe, ajonc deurope, bois jonc, jonc marin, vigneau, ajonc commun
Nld: gaspeldoorn
Afr: gaspeldoring
Cat: gatosa europea
Nob: gulltorn
Nno: gulltorn
Ces: hlodáš evropský
Spa: retama espinosa, toxo
Por: tojo, tôjo, tôjo-arnal
Cym: aith, eithin, eithin bigog, eithin ffreinig, eithin ffrengig, eithin y fro, eithinen, eithinen ffrengig
En: European gorse, Whin, Furze, Gorse, Common gorse, Prickly gorse, Common Furze, Golden Gorse, Prickly Broom
Af: Gaspeldoring, Steekbrem, Steelbrem
Az: Avropa uleksi
Eu: Ote zuri
Bn: ইউলেক্স ইউরোপিয়াস
Br: Lann-gallek
Ca: Gatosa europea
Zh: 荆豆
Kw: Eythin
Cs: Hlodáš evropský
Da: Almindelig Tornblad, Tornblad
Nl: Gaspeldoorn
Eo: Eŭropa ulekso
Fi: Piikkiherne, Euroopanpiikkiherne, (euroopan)piikkiherne
Fr: Ajonc, Ajonc d’Europe, Bois jonc, Jonc marin, Vigneau, Ajonc deurope, Ajonc commun, Grand Ajonc, Landier, Genêt épineux, Ajonc épineux
Gl: Toxo arnal
De: Stechginster, Gewöhnlicher Stechginster, Gaspeldorn, Europäischer Stechginster, Heckensame
Hu: Európai sünzanót
Ga: Aiteann gallda
It: Ginestrone, Ginestrone spinoso
Mi: Kōti
No: Gulltorn
Nb: Gulltorn
Nn: Gulltorn
Fa: اولکس فرنگی
Pl: Kolcolist zachodni
Pt: Tojo, Tôjo, Tôjo-arnal
Ru: Утёсник европейский
Sk: Cezmína európska
Es: Toxo, Retama espinosa, Argoma, Aulaga, Escajo, Tojo
Sv: Ärttörne, (euroopan)piikkiherne
Zh-tw: 荆豆
Uk: Улекс європейський
Wa: Djiniesse ås spenes
Cy: Eithinen Ffrengig, Aith, Eithin, Eithin Bigog, Eithin Ffreinig, Eithin Ffrengig, Eithin y Fro, Eithinen

Synonyms

• Genista europaea ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)

Distribution

• Belgium (native)
• Corse (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Antipodean Is. (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Ascension (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chatham Is. (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Falkland Is. (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Panamá (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• St.Helena (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 14, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 26, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 30, 2021 by Catherine CH (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 3, 2018 by francois tissot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 3, 2020 by jid (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jan 12, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 8, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 18, 2021 by James Smith (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 26, 2021 by Jörg D (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 21, 2017 by Laurie David (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Feb 25, 2022 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 12, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 8, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 7, 2020 by Johanna Mayrhofer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2018 by Jean Burgun (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 28, 2018 by Josiane wacquant (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 11, 2021 by Jörg D (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 25, 2022 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 12, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 8, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Other

Taken Mar 29, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Thierry RAVAYROL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − wan hsin wang (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 12, 2020 by Magdalena Klimczak (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 26, 2019 by Bart Batsleer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 11, 2021 by Jörg D (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2021 by Lambert Elfyn (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 5, 2020 by Mathieu VALENTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 15, 2020 by Hélène (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2951984)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:524298-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ulex europaeus L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Shrub

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.5

Ph minimum: 5.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 3