![]() ![]() This plant is on our EDRR list, and we provide free control. If you think you have found this plant please report it immediately. Gorse branches are green when young, but turn brown with age. The spiny leaves are the best way to differentiate gorse from scotch broom which generally has three-parted, non-spiny leaves. Gorse produces a profusion of yellow, pea blossom shaped flowers very similar that form at the ends of branches from early spring to late summer. It has prickly spine like leaves that range from half of an inch to 2 inches. Gorse can grow up to 15 feet tall and 30 feet around. It can also increase erosion on steep slopes. Gorse is an extreme fire risk due to high levels of volatile oils in its branches, another reason to keep it away from our homes and forests. Gorse can also resprout from cut stumps and may be spread by rhizomes as well. When mature, the hairy seed pods will explosively burst open and eject the seeds several feet from the plant and the seeds can disperse in water and by animals and birds. This is why it is so important to catch gorse infestations as early as possible, ideally in their first year. All broom species have some similar morphological characteristics, while common gorse is morphologically distinct from the brooms. A mature plant can produce up to 18,000 seeds, which can remain viable in the soil for 30 years or more. Gorse is slow to become established, but once it gains a hold it is incredibly difficult to eradicate due to the long lived seed bank. ![]() ![]() Gorse grows especially well in infertile and disturbed sites but also does well in pasture and forest fringes. Gorse is not known to be established in Multnomah County. Gorse was introduced into Oregon prior to 1894 but is only commonly found in the southwestern part of the state. Gorse will grow in much more dense, impenetrable thickets than scotch broom, excluding native plants and animals and rendering land useless. Common gorse ( Ulex europaeus) is a prickly, evergreen shrub which looks very similar to scotch broom, especially when in bloom. ![]()
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