Common Gorse

Ulex europaeus

Found in disturbed forests, roadsides, and disturbed areas. FloraQuest, phone app (app page) What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Profile 47%

Height: Common gorse is a medium to tall, densely branched, perennial shrub up to 16 feet but usually less than 8 feet tall in North America.
Light: Partial shade, Full shade, Full sun
Soil moisture: Dry to moist

At a glance

Not yet recorded · Spread · Life cycle · Leaves · Bloom

Bloom: recorded only in the FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team) phone app (app page).

Spread, life cycle and leaves: no source found yet.

This plant is missing most of its facts, so Quercus is looking them up in old botany books.

Recorded in 4 Virginia counties.

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

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Forest or woodland where the source does not say how moist or dry.

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

Ecological relationships

—CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including VA

—BeesSoutheastern regional records

—Specialist beesPollen specialists

—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Growing and identification

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Height · “Common gorse is a medium to tall, densely branched, perennial shrub up to 16 feet (4.8 m) but usually less than 8 feet (2.5 m) tall in North America.” · Fire Effects Information System: Ulex europaeus · Source botanical description; original units and scope retained
Light · “Partial shade; Full shade; Full sun (documented habitat)” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team), phone app (app page) · Carolinas and Georgia
Soil · “Dry; Moist (documented habitat)” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team), phone app (app page) · Carolinas and Georgia