Ulex europaeus L.

Title: Ulex europaeus L.

Scientific name:

Ulex europaeus L.

Common name(s):

gorse, furze

Source & more images (via ALA)

Habitat: Heathlands, hillsides and embankments in temperate regions free from severe frosts, principally on non-calcareous soils (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992). It is an invasive weed of unimproved grazing land, neglected sites, roadsides and forest margins in higher rainfall areas (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992). Gorse invades dry coastal vegetation, heathland and heathy woodland, lowland grassland and grassy woodland, dry sclerophyll forest, damp sclerophyll forest, riparian vegetation, and rock outcrop vegetation (Carr et al., 1992).

Distribution:

Original source via CABI

Invasiveness Assessment

ESTABLISHMENT

1. Germination requirements? “Most germination occurs in autumn and spring to mid summer”. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992 p.481)

2. Establishment requirements? Occurs in ecosystems receiving shading e.g. dry and damp sclerophyll forest. (Carr et al., 1992)

3. How much disturbance is required? Invades undisturbed ecosystems – heathland and heathy woodland. (Carr et al., 1992)

GROWTH / COMPETITIVE

4. Life form? Of Fabaceae family therefore a legume. (Carr et al., 1992)

5. Allelopathic properties? Some properties identified with mixed results, see 2023 paper here.

6. Tolerates herb pressure? “Young seedlings, which are not armed with stiff spines, are readily grazed by sheep and rabbits”. “Animals eat seedlings and young shoots but mature plants are rarely grazed”. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992)

7. Normal growth rate? “Rapidly growing”. “Control is made difficult by the vigour and comprehensiveness of the plant”. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992 p. 482-483)

8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc? “While the plant will grow…in Mediterranean climates with dry summers and in areas with significant winter frost, it does not thrive”. “Tolerates many soil types, frost to -20oC (young plants are sensitive), salt laden wind and drought”. “Burns readily but not killed – re sprouts and seeds germinate”. (Blood 2001 p. 83; Richardson & Hill, 1998 p.271)

REPRODUCTION

9. Reproductive system? “Reproducing by seed”. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992 p. 480)

10. Number of propagules produced? “Seed production is prolific with an annual input of up to 6 million seeds per hectare”. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992 p. 483)

11. Propagule longevity? “Have a high viability and even seeds 25 years old is 85% viable”. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992 p. 483)

12. Reproductive period? “Plants are long lived, producing new growth each spring”. “Living to a maximum life of 29 years”. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992 p. 481; Richardson & Hill, 1998 p. 273)

13. Time to reproductive maturity? “Plants may flower first when about 18 months old”. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992 p. 481)

DISPERSAL

14. Number of mechanisms? Refer to ‘dispersal’ in Parsons and Cuthbertson, (1992 p. 482) wind, birds, ant’s etc.

15. How far do they disperse? “Birds are important in spreading seeds and patches of weeds are often found under trees or posts where birds have perched”. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992 p. 482)

Impact Assessment

RECREATION

1. Restrict human access? It is widespread in a broad range of vegetation communities in medium to large populations. Grown as a hedge plant and armed with numerous spines to 5 cm long, the plant forms dense impenetrable thickets that prevent access. (Carr et al., (1992); Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001;Muyt, 2001)

2. Reduce tourism? Because of its ability to form dense thickets that prevent access, infestations would have a significant impact on limiting recreational activities. (Muyt, 2001)

3. Injurious to people? The plant is armed with spines to 5 cm long throughout the year. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

4. Damage to cultural sites? An erect much-branched shrub to 3 metres that can form dense thickets. The root system is not vigorous and thus not likely to cause structural damage. The plant would have a moderate visual impact. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

ABIOTIC

5. Impact flow? Terrestrial species. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

6. Impact water quality? Terrestrial species. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

7. Increase soil erosion? The plant was recommended for sandbinding in coastal areas. Would not contribute to soil erosion. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

8. Reduce biomass? “Gorse forms dense, impenetrable thickets that eventually exclude all other indigenous vegetation and prevent any regeneration occurring.” Likely to increase biomass initially. (Muyt, 2001)

9. Change fire regime? “Furze burns readily and dense patches are a considerable fire hazard.” Not greatly changes but just moderate – fire frequency isn't necessarily increased because of gorse (David Boyle; Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

COMMUNITY HABITAT

10(a) Impact on composition of high value EVC? EVC=Valley grassy forest (V); CMA=West Gippsland; Bioreg=Highlands – Southern Falls; VH CLIMATE potential. Fixes nitrogen. “…exclude[s] all other indigenous vegetation and prevent[s] any regeneration occurring.” Major effect on species within low to mid strata. (Muyt, 2001)

10(b) Impact on medium value EVC? EVC=Damp heathland (R); CMA=West Gippsland; Bioreg=Gippsland Plain; VH CLIMATE potential. Impact as in 10(a) above. (Muyt, 2001)

10(c) Impact on low value EVC? EVC=Heathy woodland (LC); CMA=Port Phillip; Bioreg=Gippsland Plain; VH CLIMATE potential. Impact as in 10(a) above. (Muyt, 2001)

11. Impact on structure? “Forms dense impenetrable thickets that eventually exclude all other indigenous vegetation and prevent any regeneration occurring.” Would have a major effect on low to mid strata. (Muyt, 2001)

12. Effect on threatened flora?

FAUNA

13. Effect on threatened fauna?

14. Effect on non-threatened fauna? It eliminates native forage plants reducing food source for native fauna and restricts access. “Animals eat seedlings and young shoots, but mature plants are rarely eaten.” Overall reduction in habitat for native fauna. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001; Muyt, 2001)

15. Benefits fauna? “Gorse thickets often provide habitat for small native birds and mammals.” (Muyt, 2001)

16. Injurious to fauna? The plant is armed with spines on leaf tips for all of the year. But is unlikely to be injurious. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

PEST ANIMAL

17. Food source to pests? Birds and ants spread seeds. Possible pest species. (Blood, 2001)

18. Provides harbor? “Dense furze growth provides excellent harbor for rabbits.” (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

AGRICULTURE

19. Impact yield? The plant restricts animal movement and access to other pasture species. Dense infestations severely reduce carrying capacity. In New Zealand, “it is a major problem in forestry, where it interferes with establishment operations and competes strongly with young trees.” Probable does decrease quantity but is not unviable to harvest probable less than 5%. Tolerance to the weed – put up with it for many/few years. Impact on yield is not significant. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

20. Impact quality? Not known to impact quality of produce. Not a weed of cropping situations.

21. Affect land values? “Control is made difficult by the vigour and competitiveness of the plant.” Seed banks can be as large as 100 million per hectare and seeds remain viable for several decades. Having this plant on agricultural land would reduce its value significantly due to the cost and duration of control activities. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001; Blood, 2001)

22. Change land use? If left unmanaged, it would result in a major detrimental change to agricultural use. Animals do not graze mature plants and significant works are required to eliminate its occurrence in forestry situations. Tolerance to the weed – put up with it for many/few years.- some alteration but no major change – In New Zealand Canterbury plains and hillsides – move to forestry to suppress Gorse – but does not downgrade priority land use in Vic. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

23. Increase harvest costs? None evident.

24. Disease host/vector? Not known.

Feedback:

Do you have additional information about this plant that will improve the quality of the assessment? If so, we would value your contribution. we would value your contribution.

Assessment ratings originally made by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.

The entry of this assessment was made possible through the generous support of The Weed's Network.

Attachments:

gorse via ala.JPG
distribution_map (56).png

referenced by (2)

wra1001: Common Name - G (via gorse)wra1000: Common Name - F (via furze)

Article: wra1921 (permalink)
Categories: :wra:u, :wra:inv1, :wra:invmh, :wra:inv2, :wra:inv3, :wra:invh, :wra:inv4, :wra:inv5, :wra:invl, :wra:inv6, :wra:inv7, :wra:inv8, :wra:inv9, :wra:invml, :wra:inv10, :wra:inv11, :wra:inv12, :wra:inv13, :wra:inv14, :wra:inv15, :wra:imp1, :wra:imph, :wra:imp2, :wra:imp3, :wra:imp4, :wra:impml, :wra:imp5, :wra:impl, :wra:imp6, :wra:imp7, :wra:imp8, :wra:imp9, :wra:impmh, :wra:imp10a, :wra:imp10b, :wra:imp10c, :wra:imp11, :wra:imp12, :wra:impm, :wra:imp13, :wra:imp14, :wra:imp15, :wra:imp16, :wra:imp17, :wra:imp18, :wra:imp19, :wra:imp20, :wra:imp21, :wra:imp22, :wra:imp23, :wra:imp24
Date: 12 October 2009; 12:52:21 PM AEDT

Author Name: Jessica Mackay
Author ID: mackayj