gorse

Ulex europaeus L.

Description from Invasive.org

Appearance: Ulex europaeus is an evergreen, perennial shrub native to Europe. Plants can grow from 3-6 ft. (1-2 m) in height. Shoots are covered with reddish-brown to grey hairs.
Foliage: Leaves are spine-like and 0.25-0.75 in. (0.6-1.9 cm) long. Mature shrubs have 1 in. (2.5 cm) long spines on the branches.
Flowers: Flowering occurs from winter to early spring, when shiny, yellow flowers develop in the axils of the leaves. Flowers are 1.0 in. (2.5 cm) long.
Fruit: Fruits are hairy, 0.5-1 in. (1.3-2.5 cm) long pods.
Ecological Threat: U. europaeus was introduced into North America in the mid-to-late 1800s as an ornamental. Plants invade gravel bars, logged areas and other disturbed areas. U. europaeus cannot tolerate extremely dry areas or areas with extreme temperatures.

Resources

Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy

Selected Images from Invasive.org

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Plant(s) habit
Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org
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Flower(s)
Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Flower(s)
Eric Coombs, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org
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Flower(s)
Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Flower(s) flowers
Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org
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Foliage
George Markin, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
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Feature(s) stem
Norman E. Rees, USDA Agricultural Research Service - Retired, Bugwood.org
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Feature(s) thorny habit
Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org
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Fruit(s) flowers
Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org
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Fruit(s) seed pods
Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org
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Feature(s) spikes
Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org
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Plant(s) habit
Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Flower(s) habit and flowers
Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Plant(s) Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 349.
USDA NRCS PLANTS Database , USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org
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