This spiny shrub is flowering on the Systematic Beds.
A European native Ulex europaeus (gorse, or furze) is one of 20 species of spiny, evergreen shrubs from central and western Europe and north Africa, which all thrive in poor soils in sun-drenched habitats. In the United Kingdom gorse is a familiar plant of moor, common and heath. Forming a dense habit to 2 m in height, young spine-bearing leaves may develop into simple spines, while the short side shoots terminate in a sharp spine to form an effective deterrent to predators. With a main flowering season of spring, pea-like, solitary yellow flowers are produced throughout the year in the previous year’s leaf axils.