GORSE

Ulex europaeus

REPORT THIS WEED

Description

A spiny, long-living shrub that forms dense thickets, growing to 1–2.5 m tall.

Leaves Spiny, have a waxy coating, dark green, stiff and stalkless.

Flowers Bright yellow, pea-like, 1.5–2.5 cm long and have a distinct coconut scent.

Fruit Oblong pods, 1–2 cm long and 6 mm wide, covered in fine hairs. Initially, grey ripening to black and contain 2–6 small heart-shaped seeds.

Stems Soft, green and hairy when young, becoming brown and woody when mature. Each stem ends in a single sharp spine.

Dispersal Seed dispersed by waterways and in mud on animals and vehicles.

Confused with Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), Spiny broom (Calicotome spinosa), Flax-leaf broom (Genista linifolia), Montpellier broom (G. monspessulana) and Madeira broom (G. stenopetala).

Control Contact your local Rous County Council Weed Biosecurity Officer for control advice and disposal. Once gorse becomes established it is very difficult to eradicate due to its long-lived seeds. Manual removal of small plants, grazing by sheep or goats. Cut stump or stem inject with herbicide.

CONTAINS FLAMMABLE OILS AND RETAINS DEAD VEGETATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF BUSHFIRES.