Gorse - introduced (*Ulex europaeus)

Other names: Furze.

Family: Fabaceae (Pea family).

Native of Europe.

Occurrence: A widespread and common weed, particularly along cleared creek flats. It also grows in disturbed bushland. It is less common in low rainfall areas.

Identification:

• it is a bushy shrub growing to about 2 x 2 metres
• it has yellow pea-flowers
• it flowers for most of the year
• the leaves are narrow spines that cover the plant, making gorse copses impenetrable.

It is a noxious weed and a weed of National Significance. It is Regionally Controlled in central Victoria It produces copious amounts of seed which may lie dormant in the soil for many years. Ants collect the seed, which helps spread Gorse.

Photo 1: Gorse in flower. Kalimna.
2: Gorse with Spider Mite. The mite has been introduced as a biological control agent. Its presence is shown by the spider-web like canopy over the branches. Hunter St, Castlemaine.
3, 4: Spider Mite. Irishtown.