Western gorse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Western gorse |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ulex
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| Species: |
gallii
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The Ulex gallii, also known as western gorse or dwarf furze, is a spiky green plant that stays green all year round. It belongs to the pea family, which is called Fabaceae by scientists. You can find this plant growing naturally along the Atlantic coasts of western Europe. This includes places like southern Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland, the Isle of Man, western France, and the northern coast of Spain.
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Western Gorse: A Spiky Plant
Where Does It Grow?
Western gorse loves to grow in acidic soils, especially in open, sunny areas like heathlands. It often grows in windy places near the sea or on mountains. This plant is more common in the western parts of its home range. In eastern England, you might find a similar plant called Dwarf Furze (Ulex minor). These two types of gorse usually grow in different areas and don't often overlap.
What Does It Look Like?
Ulex gallii is usually about 10 to 50 centimetres (4 to 20 in) tall. That's roughly the height of a small dog. Sometimes, it can grow taller, up to 2 metres (7 ft), which is about as tall as a person.
Instead of soft leaves, its stems have sharp spines. Most of these spines are about 1 centimetre (0.4 in) long. Some spines are longer, about 3 centimetres (1 in), and they curve backwards.
When the plant is very young, it has three small leaves, like a clover. But as it grows, these leaves turn into tiny scales or spines. The stems of the plant are green. They do most of the work of making food for the plant through photosynthesis, just like leaves do on other plants.
Flowers and Seeds
The flowers of the western gorse are bright yellow. They are about 1 to 2 centimetres (0.4 to 0.8 in) long. They look like the typical flowers you see on pea plants. These pretty yellow flowers usually appear in late summer and autumn. You won't often see them before July.
After the flowers bloom, they turn into a type of fruit called a legume, which is a pod. This pod holds the seeds. The pod is partly covered by the light brown parts of the old flower.
Surviving Fire
Like many types of gorse, western gorse is a "fire-climax plant." This means it can easily catch fire. But don't worry, it's built to survive! After a fire, the plant can grow back from its roots. Also, its seeds are special. They are designed to sprout and grow after they have been slightly warmed by a fire. This helps the plant spread and thrive even after a wildfire.
