Western Gorse

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Western Gorse

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ulex europaeus subsp. gallii
• Ulex europaeus proles gallii
• Ulex minor subsp. gallii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, it is a member of the Fabaceae family. It is specifically identified by its genus, Ulex.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a distinct distribution across several regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing throughout Great Britain. Its presence also extends to the island of Ireland within the same northern territory. Moving toward Southwestern Europe, the species is commonly located in France. Finally, the geographical range reaches as far south as Spain.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Ulex gallii is characterized by its status as a perennial species, though its developmental patterns can exhibit variable growth strategies depending on environmental conditions. As a long-lived woody shrub, it establishes itself through a robust lifecycle that allows it to persist in heathlands and coastal habitats over multiple years. While the plant primarily functions as a perennial, its life history may involve stages that resemble annual or biennial cycles in response to extreme stress or specific ecological niches, providing it with the flexibility to survive in fluctuating climates. Throughout its existence, the plant focuses on building significant woody biomass, which supports its reproductive longevity and ability to withstand seasonal shifts.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ulex gallii is characterized by a woody growth form, functioning primarily as a shrub. It exhibits a physical stature with a mean plant height of approximately 0.575 m, contributing to its structural presence in its natural habitat.

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height mean:

0.575 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ulex gallii is characterized by its reliance on the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation strategies under varying environmental conditions. This plant exhibits a specific leaf area (SLA) with a mean value of 66 cm²/g, a metric that reflects its structural leaf economy and its capacity for light interception and gas exchange relative to its biomass. This combination of C3 metabolism and a relatively moderate SLA influences the plant's water-use efficiency and its ability to adapt to the Mediterranean-type ecosystems it typically inhabits.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

66 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ulex gallii is characterized by a specific seed morphology and a versatile dispersal strategy. The seeds produced by this species exhibit a relatively consistent mass, with a recorded mean weight of approximately 0.0062480555 g. Individual seed measurements vary slightly, ranging from a minimum mass of 0.00588 g to a maximum mass of 0.00741 g. Regarding the movement of its progeny, the plant primarily utilizes an autochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning the seeds are released through mechanisms inherent to the plant itself. However, its dispersal capabilities are broader and more unspecialized, involving a complex suite of syndromes including anemochory, zoochory, and hydrochory, which allow the seeds to be spread by wind, animals, and water.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Seed mass max:

0.00741 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0062480555 g

Seed mass min:

0.00588 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ulex gallii has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Isoprunetin, genistein.

Isoprunetin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

genistein

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Ulex gallii has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Diuretic, Hypotensive.

Diuretic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Hypotensive

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Ulex gallii has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diuretic, glioblastoma, lung cancer, neuroblastoma, stomach cancer.

Most Reported Uses