Photographs: Balingeary, Co. Cork

Gorse / Furze / Whin Ulex europaeus Aiteann gallda Family: Fabaceae Flowering time: All year, peak flowering April. Evergreen shrub. Native. Two-lipped yellow flowers, often smelling strongly of coconut. The stems and thorns are bluish-green. Very spiny, the spines deeply furrowed. Young plants have leaves with three leaflets. Height: To 2m Prefers acidic soils on grasslands, heaths and wood edges. Widespread, but not on high mountains or very wet ground. Similar: Western/Autumn Gorse, U. gallii. Flowers July-September. Height to 1.2m.

Gorse, Ulex europaeus, Aiteann gallda