The gorse (Ulex europaeus) is a shrub native to Western Europe belonging to the Fabaceae family. It is commonly known as gorse, gatosa, argoma, espinillo, thorny broom, ulaga, abulaga, gorse, jabulaga, rozo, carqueja or sea buckthorn, among others.
It is a shrub about 2.5 m high, with a stem that can be creeping or erect and that has strong branching. It does not present leaves since they have been modified into quite sharp spines. Instead, it develops lanceolate or triangular phyllodes.
The flowers of this shrub are quite striking yellow. Its fruit is a legume that contains 2 to 8 seeds. It is a shrub whose reproduction can be sexual or asexual. It is a pioneer and highly invasive species. However, due to these characteristics it can be used for ecosystem restoration plans..
Its characteristics such as high reproduction, fast growth, dormant seeds, long vegetative period, lack of controlling agents, have made gorse a strong pest for agricultural and forestry areas in various parts of the world. It can be controlled by a specific moth (Agonopterix ulicetella) that feeds on its shoots, thus decreasing its establishment and reproduction.
Regarding its care, it requires direct exposure to the sun for its proper growth, irrigation between 2 and 3 times a week, pruning whenever dry or necrotic branches appear. Usually propagated by seed in spring.
It is used as firewood or for charcoal production, its flowers are useful for natural dessert decorations, the plants are established as living fences, and its wood is useful for light carpentry. Regarding its medicinal properties, it is used to combat headaches and as a cardiotonic.
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Gorse is a shrub that is up to 2.5 m high, the stem can be creeping or erect, with abundant semi-open or compact branches.
The young branches are dark green in color, covered by long trichomes and their appearance is obvious. Forms spines up to about 4 cm long, they can be straight or arched.
The leaves in this plant are replaced by primary phyllodes that measure between 5 and 12 mm, with a lanceolate-linear or triangular shape, devoid of pubescence or with some trichomes. It has 2-6 mm by 2-7.5 mm bracteoles. Pedicels are pubescent.
The flowers are yellowish-yellow. They are located in the armpits of the phyllodes or needles. The calyx measures 11 to 16 mm, has thick and patent-looking trichomes. The upper lip is between 5 and 6 mm wide; the corolla shows a banner and wings longer than the calyx.
It has 10 stamens, of different sizes, united by their filaments. The ovary is seated, with the arched style and its stigma in a terminal position.
Flowering occurs from November to May or June. If this species is found in areas with a cool climate, it can have flowers throughout the year.
The fruit is a legume that measures between 10 and 20 mm long by 5-7 mm wide, ovate or oblong and contains 2 to 8 seeds.
Gorse seeds are ovoid, compressed on their sides, more or less asymmetrical, green, brown or black in color once they mature, they measure approximately 2.5 mm, show a smooth texture and a shiny appearance..
The seed coat is characterized by being hard, waterproof and latent. This allows the seeds to have a high probability of survival in adverse conditions such as fire or other disturbances for a long time (up to 30 years)..
-Kingdom: Plantae
-Phylum: Tracheophyta
-Class: Magnoliopsida
-Order: Fabales
-Family: Fabaceae
-Gender: Furze
-Species: Ulex europaeus
Some synonyms for this species are: Ulex armoricanus, Ulex compositus, European Ulex, Ulex floridus, Ulex hibernicus, Ulex major, Ulex opistholepis, Ulex strictus, Ulex vernalis.
Gorse is obtained associated with heaths, hedges, communities of thorny vegetation. It is normally found in bushes, heaths and forest clearings. It grows between 0 and 1300 meters above sea level. It grows well on soils with a lot of silica and close to the ocean.
It is native to southwestern Europe and has been mobilized to North and South America, South Africa, and Australia. It lives in places such as Argentina, Ecuador, Uruguay, the United States, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Chile, China, Colombia, Madagascar, Canada, Bolivia, Indonesia, Portugal or Spain, among others..
Gorse contains an interesting alkaloid substance, cytisine, with which problems of asthma, whooping cough and headaches have been fought. It also contains two other alkaloids such as caulophyllin and anagirin.
Cytisine is an alkaloid that serves to replace nicotine and has been used as a patch for smokers who want to quit smoking. The results have been more effective than those obtained with nicotine patches.
Likewise, it is considered that the flowers can have effects as healthy as that of boldo leaves to treat liver conditions.
The alkaloid cytisine can be very poisonous. The concentration in the seeds is close to 1%, and this part of the plant should not be used for consumption or preparation of infusions..
Even its use as forage is questionable due to the presence of this poisonous substance not only in seeds but also in branches or other organs..
Ulex europaeus It has been recommended for restoration processes of Andean ecosystems because it is a pioneer species, of rapid establishment and taking into account the seed bank present in the edges of scrub at different soil strata..
On the other hand, the presence of this invasive shrub in high Andean ecosystems has produced some effects on the vegetation and fauna of birds specifically.
In this sense, Ulex europaeus doubles the vegetation density in invaded forests compared to non-invaded forests.
The density of native forest shrubs is severely reduced in forests invaded by spiny broom.
Regarding birds, the total abundance is not affected in high Andean forests, but the diversity of species is affected..
In this regard, bird populations Colaptes rivolli Y Turdus fuscater they are adversely affected. In contrast, the species Diglossa humeralis Y Basileuterus nigrocristatus increase their presence in forests invaded by Ulex europaeus.
Favorably, as it is a fabaceous plant, its lateral roots are nodulated by rhizobial bacteria which fix atmospheric nitrogen. Once contributed to the plant, it remains available in the soil once the nodule, the plant structure (root) degrades, or diffuses to the soil through the flow of substances in the rhizosphere..
- Gorse is grown for forage in some regions of the world. For this, their branches are crushed, their thorns removed, and beds are made for cattle..
- In traditional medicine, the flowers are used as an infusion to treat liver problems.
- The log serves very well as firewood or for the production of charcoal.
- On the other hand, because it is a fabaceous plant, it serves as a green manure by supplying nitrogen to the soil..
- It is also cultivated as an ornamental species, and for use as a living fence.
- Its flowers are used as natural decorations for desserts or other special foods.
- It is used a lot for the production of honey because it contributes a lot of pollen to the bees.
Light conditions are of the utmost importance for gorse, as it allows it to develop properly. The lower branches that do not receive the sun dry out quickly, they remain attached to the plant and this causes an accumulation of organic matter that burns easily; for this reason, it is a harmful plant.
It should be watered between 2 and 3 times each week during the summer season, and at other times the frequency of watering can decrease. It is important that the substrate has good drainage to avoid waterlogging.
Organic compost can be applied during the spring and summer season.
Due to the susceptibility of the branches to burn easily, it is recommended to carry out pruning whenever dry, weak branches or with some evidence of disease are observed..
Regarding the temperature, this shrub supports frosts to an extreme of -10 ° C.
Gorse normally multiplies by seed during the spring. Seeds require scarification to germinate.
Sandpaper scarification can produce up to 73% germination. Otherwise, germination can be increased above 90% if the testa is removed with a scalpel..
The ideal temperature at which gorse germinates is between 15 and 19 ° C. Whereas, above 35 ° C the seed becomes unviable.
Gorse can be biologically controlled by defoliator moth Agonopterix ulicetella, which is an insect that attacks this plant quite specifically. In general, it affects its growth since it consumes its tender shoots.
The adult individuals of the moth lay their eggs on the thorns and stems of gorse in spring. After a month, the emerging larvae head towards the new shoots and feed on them. For this, the larva produces and is kept in a silk channel within the growth shoots and spines..
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