Ulex parviflorus It is a species of perennial thorny shrub that belongs to the Fabaceae family. Commonly known as gorse, argoma, Moorish gorse, engilaga, olaga or gorse, it is a natural plant of the western region of the Mediterranean basin.
It is a densely branched shrub that reaches up to 2 m in height. Its stems, yellowish-green in color, have numerous alternating spines. It is characterized by the absence of leaves, solitary flowers in the axillary position of yellow color and its fruit in the form of a compressed, hirsute and short legume..
Its natural habitat is located in sunny bushes on soils of limestone origin, associated with pine forests such as Pinus halepensis. It is a thermophilic plant that is located in coastal areas, becoming dominant when the recurrence of fire is intense.
It is a rustic plant of easy adaptation, used for the restoration of disturbed lands and against the erosion of sloping lands with high solar radiation. As a medicinal plant, it presents various bioactive principles with an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, cardiotonic and expectorant effect..
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It is a suffrutice shrub with an erect stem and closed branching, with long very thorny flowering branches that can reach up to 2 m in height. The cylindrical branches are furrowed by 7-9 longitudinal ribs and can be whitish-green or yellowish-green depending on the variety and environmental conditions..
Acicular leaves, scarce or deciduous, tripartite in young plants or simple in adults, spines and stems are the main responsible for photosynthesis. The primary phyllodes 4 mm long, firm, spinning and lanceolate, the secondary ones 2.5 mm long and lanceolate.
The thorns cover the surface of stems and branches to the base of the stem, where the texture is woody, grayish-brown in color. They are usually arched, some branching at various tips, rigid and persistent, which makes this plant an impenetrable shrub.
Flowering occurs during winter. In this way the plant changes the threatening aspect of its thorns to a vibrant bush with abundant flowers. The bright lemon-yellow papilionaceous flowers are arranged singly or in groups of two on the spines.
The fruit is a small, elongated and slightly compressed hairy legume, 8-9 mm x 4-5 mm, wrapped in a persistent calyx. Inside there are 1-2 rounded seeds of 2-3 mm, smooth and shiny green, yellow or red..
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Order: Fabales
- Family: Fabaceae
- Subfamily: Faboideae
- Tribe: Genisteae
- Gender: Furze
- Species: Ulex parviflorus Pourr.
- Furze: the name of the genus comes from the Latin "ulex" which means heather. Name initially given by the naturalist Carlos Linneo to this genus of plants.
- parviflorus: The specific adjective in Latin means "with small flowers".
- Ulex parviflorus subsp. parviflorus Pourr .: shrub with yellowish-green stems; pubescent or glabrescent branches and spines.
- Ulex parviflorus Pourr. subsp. rivasgodayanus Vats: shrub with whitish-green stems; stems, branches and thorns covered by firm, long and patent hairs; endemic to Granada and Malaga.
- Ulex parviflorus subsp. africanus (Webb) Greuter
- Ulex parviflorus subsp. eriocladus (C. Vicious) D. A. Webb
- U. parviflorus subsp. funkii (Webb) Guinea
- U. parviflorus subsp. jussiaei (Webb) D. A. Webb
- Ulex parviflorus subsp. parviflorus Pourr.
- Ulex almijarensis Rivas Goday & G. López
- Ulex argenteus var. almijarensis (Rivas Goday & G. López) Ladero & Rivas Goday
- U. brachyacanthus Boiss.
- U. ianthocladus var. calycotomoides Webb
- Ulex provincialis Loisel.
- Ulex recurvatus Willk. in Willk. & Lange
- U. scaber var. willkommii (Webb) Samp.
- U. willkommii var. funkii Webb
- Ulex willkommii Webb
Its natural habitat is located on acid soils of calcareous or siliceous origin, in forest clearings or rocky areas, at full sun exposure and up to 1,000 meters above sea level. It is part of the autochthonous vegetation of coastal or sub-coastal areas, such as romerales, thyme or heliophilic bushes, especially easily burned environments.
It is a rustic plant that maintains a symbiotic relationship with certain bacteria, which is why it has the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. In this sense, it is used to recover degraded soils and protect steep slopes with high solar exposure from erosion..
It is a shrub native to the south of the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa. Likewise, it is located in the south of France and in some areas of the Balearic Islands. In the continental territory it is common in Aragon, Cuenca and Jaén.
The presence of various active principles such as alkaloids or flavonoid-type compounds provide it with certain medicinal properties. In fact, the infusion, decoction or maceration of flowers or seeds is used as a natural remedy for the treatment of different ailments.
Its properties include its analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-migraine, expectorant, gastric protector and cardiac tonic effect. On the other hand, it is indicated against respiratory congestion, muscle pain, poisoning, migraines, liver disorders and to facilitate the expulsion of kidney stones.
It is a characteristic species of abandoned lands or environments easily degraded by fire, among scrublands and pre-forest shrub formations. In fact, it is considered a rustic plant adapted to disturbed or poorly degraded environments, being essential for the resilience of these ecosystems..
Indeed, it is used for the restoration of disturbed lands and the control of erosion in steep slopes. It is a very resistant species to drought and adapts easily in arid environments with full sun exposure..
Due to its rusticity and easy adaptation, it is a species with few requirements and low maintenance. As an ornamental, it is used to form hedges or cover rockery, being very attractive when in bloom..
Gorse grows well on neutral or slightly alkaline soils, although it prefers acid soils. Prefers loose, well-drained, sandy loam or clay loam soils.
The best location is in open spaces with full sun exposure. This species is very demanding in terms of its lighting needs, so places in partial shade can adversely affect its normal development..
It is a plant that tolerates low humidity conditions, however, its maximum development depends on the stable humidity of the ground. The frequency of irrigation is subject to edaphoclimatic conditions, taking into account that flooding can cause damage to the root system.
Rustic species that tolerates occasional frosts down to -15 ºC and supports strong winds or persistent sea breezes. In addition, it presents a rapid growth rate under optimal environmental conditions..
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