Shrubs 2–3 m. Stems extensively intertwined, branchlets leafy; older plants with dead mass at center. Phyllodes 4–14 mm. Bracteoles 1.5–7 mm wide. Flowers: calyx ± yellow, mem­branous, lobes concave, 12–15 mm, hairs ± spreading; corolla persistent; banner ovate, to 20 mm; wings and keel oblong, slightly shorter than banner, obtuse; wings slightly longer than keel. Legumes dark purplish brown, 1.5–2.5 × 6–8 mm, explosively dehiscent. Seeds brownish green; hilar appendages relatively small. 2n = 32, 64, 96.

Phenology: Flowering Jan–Nov.
Habitat: Roadsides, pastures, open forests, coastal bluffs, floodplains, disturbed areas in well-drained soils, particularly in coastal regions.
Elevation: 0–400 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Introduced; B.C., Calif., Mass., N.Y., Oreg., Pa., Va., Wash., W.Va., w Europe, introduced also in South America, c, n Europe, Asia, Africa, Pacific Islands (Hawaii, New Zealand), Australia.

Discussion

Ulex europaeus is cultivated for fodder, bedding, and hedges; the flowers are used to produce a dye. An extract from the seeds is used for tissue typing, due to its ability to selectively bind with certain types of lipids and proteins.

In Massachusetts, the species was last collected in 1931 and is likely extirpated there.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.