Ulex
(an old Latin name used by Pliny for some similar shrub). Furze; Gorse; Whin. Including Stauracanthus. ORD. Leguminosae. A genus embracing not more than a dozen species of mostly hardy shrubs, with very spiny branchlets, found in Western Europe and North-western Africa. Flowers yellow, solitary or shortly racemose in the axils of the spines or scales towards the tips of the branchlets; calyx membranous, coloured, two-parted; petals shortly clawed; standard ovate; bracts small. Leaves spinescent or reduced to small scales. U. europaeus and U. nanus are well-known, ornamental, British plants. All thrive in ordinary soil, and may be increased by cuttings, or by seeds. U. europaeus (European). Common Furze; Gorse; Thorn Broom, &c fl. 3/4in. long, odorous; calyx hairs black, spreading; bracts ovate. February and March; August and September. l. small; leaflets hairy. Spines sometimes furnished with minute, one-foliolate leaves. Branches spreading. h. 2ft. to 3ft. Western Europe, &c. (Sy. En. B. 323) flore-pleno is a beautiful, double-flowered variety. The form strictus (Irish Furze) has erect branches. U. Gallii (French). A variety of U. nanus.
U. genistoides (Genista-like). Portuguese Furze. fl. axillary or terminal, solitary; standard and keel tomentose outside; wings narrow, much spreading. August. l. small, scale-like, spiny, glabrous. Branches rigid, decussate. h. 1ft. to 3ft. Mediterranean region, 1823. Half-hardy. (B. R. 1452.) SYN. Stauracanthus aphyllus.
U. nanus (dwarf). Cat Whin; Tam Furze. fl. 1/2in. long, more racemose than in U. europaeus; calyx adpressedly pubescent. July to November. fr. persistent till the following season. Spines 1/2in. to 1 1/2in. long. Stems 1ft. to 3ft. high; branches drooping. England, Belgium, France.
U. n. Gallii (French). Primary spines rigid, longer than those of U. nanus. Branches ascending. (F. d. S. 441 b and Sy. En. B. 324, under name of U. Gallii.)