common gorse

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• European gorse
• common gorse
• gorse
• Furze
• whin

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Genista europaea

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Ulex.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Ulex europaeus, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing naturally throughout the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. The species is also widely distributed across the landscapes of Great Britain. Additionally, it inhabits various habitats within the country of Ireland. Finally, its presence extends further north into the territories of both Norway and Sweden.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ulex europaeus is characterized by a broad adaptive capacity across diverse landscapes, ranging from lowlands to high-altitude environments. Its elevational range is extensive, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 3180 m AMSL. This species is frequently found in varied habitats, including anthropic areas (Área Antrópica), high-altitude fields (Campo de Altitude), and open grasslands (Campo Limpo). To thrive in these environments and mitigate herbivory, the plant utilizes active defense mechanisms. Furthermore, its nutritional strategy and soil interaction are supported by a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizae, which aids in nutrient uptake and establishment within its preferred ecological niches.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

3180 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campo de Altitude, Campo Limpo

Mycorrhiza :

yes

Genetics

The genetics of Ulex europaeus are characterized by a complex polyploid nature, which is reflected in its varying chromosome numbers. Scientific observations of its karyotype indicate that the species exhibits chromosomal variation, with specific counts documented at 64 and 96 chromosomes. This polyploid complexity suggests a genome that has undergone multiple rounds of duplication, contributing to the plant's evolutionary adaptability and morphological robustness.

Chromosome number :

64, 96

Life history

The life history of Ulex europaeus is characterized by its existence as a perennial species with a robust and enduring presence in its habitat. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic structures above the ground, specifically categorized within the life forms of phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte depending on its developmental stage and environment. It exhibits an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year, providing continuous vegetative cover. This hardy species possesses a significant lifespan, capable of persisting for approximately 20 years, which allows it to establish dominant stands within its ecosystem.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Lifespan :

20

Morphology

The morphology of Ulex europaeus is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody shrub. It functions as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber or vine, and it is classified as an independent organism, meaning it is not a parasite. The species is strictly terrestrial, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variability in size, with heights typically ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 3 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 1.1165 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

1.1165 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ulex europaeus is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, supplemented by the ability to act as a nitrogen fixer. Its leaf morphology is defined by small, elliptic-shaped structures with a mean leaf size of 0.145 cm². The dimensions of these leaves vary, with a minimum leaf length of 0.4 cm and a maximum length of 3 cm, while the leaf width remains consistent at a mean and constant value of 0.3 cm (ranging from a minimum to a maximum of 0.3 cm). Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 82.03 cm²/g, reflecting its structural leaf density and resource allocation strategies.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

3 cm

Leaf length min:

0.4 cm

Leaf size mean:

0.145 cm²

Leaf width mean:

0.3 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

82.03 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ulex europaeus is characterized by a sexual process through bisexual flowers that exhibit a yellow coloration. The flowering period is concentrated around April, with both the start and end of the flowering season occurring during this month. Pollination is driven by biotic mechanisms, specifically through an insect syndrome that involves bees. The plant does not practice self-fertilization and lacks asexual reproduction methods. Following successful pollination, the plant develops dehiscence-based pods as its fruit type. These pods vary in size, with a mean length of 1.9 cm (ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 2 cm) and a width ranging from 0.5 cm to 0.8 cm. Each fruit is highly prolific, containing more than 1000 seeds. The seeds themselves are remarkably uniform in size, maintaining a consistent length and width of 3.3 mm and 2 mm, respectively. The seed mass fluctuates slightly, with a mean of 0.006435361 g, a minimum of 0.0042 g, and a maximum of 0.009 g. For dispersal, the species utilizes an autochorous syndrome, relying on its own internal mechanisms to distribute its vast seed count.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit length max:

2 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.9 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

0.8 cm

Fruit width min:

0.5 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length mean:

3.3 mm

Seed mass max:

0.009 g

Seed mass mean:

0.006435361 g

Seed mass min:

0.0042 g

Seed width mean:

2 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ulex europaeus has 29 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ANAGYRINE, Ash, BETA-SITOSTEROL, CYTISINE, FAT.

ANAGYRINE

1. Dr. Duke

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

CYTISINE

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Flavoxanthin

1. Dr. Duke

Fucosyllactose

1. Journal of molecular biology

Genistin

1. Dr. Duke

Isoliquiritigenin 4,4'-diglucoside

1. Dr. Duke

Lupeol

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Ulex europaeus has 152 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Diuretic, Hypotensive, Abortifacient, Allergenic, Analgesic.

Diuretic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Hypotensive

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Angiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke