Gorse (Ulex europaeus)

Common gorse is a member of the pea family. It flowers for many months from Spring into Summer.

This is an evergreen shrub with spiky leaves.

Gorse is important for invertebrates. It is in flower for long periods, so is an important nectar source in early spring and early winter, when little else is in flower. A number of scarce invertebrates are dependent on it. RSPB