Gorse and gorse branch

Gorse (Ulex europaeus):
        This is a spiny, perennial, evergreen shrub in the Pea Family growing to over 2 metres. It has small leaves terminate in rigid spines, bright yellow flowers surrounded by a velvety calyx. Flowers develop into black seedpods with dark hairs.
        Nutrients: Our November sample of gorse indicated that it is lower in protein than alfalfa and has moderate total digestible nutrients.
       Toxins: There are no known incidents of this plant causing animal poisonings.
       Timing of Grazing: Those in Australia who have had success using grazing to control gorse note that it is best to graze young plants that have not yet grown the large spines common on the mother plants. Since younger plants are generally protected by the mother plants, fire has been used to rid the area of the large plants and then animals have eaten young sprouts. For more information visit the Marin Project Library.