Ulex minor generally flowers at a different time of year to ulex europaeus, and occurs in different areas to ulex gallii, but is best differentiated by the length of its spines (up to 10 mm rather than up to 25 mm), by its smaller corollas (coloured deeper yellow) and calyces, and by its prostrate growth habit.
Common name:
Dwarf gorse
Family:
Scientific name:
Ulex minor
Main flower color:
Range:
Most common in south and southeast England; also in scattered areas elsewhere in England, and Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Height:
Stems are up to 100 cm, but are often prostrate or only weakly ascending
Habitat:
Acid heaths
Flowers:
Deep yellow, up to 15 mm long, with darker yellow calyces at most 9 mm long, At the base are a pair of bracteoles, around 0.5 mm long. Flowers become reddish then brown as they wither
Leaves:
Spines are relatively soft, at most 10 mm long, with faint lengthwise grooves and a covering of white hairs
Season:
July to September
Rarity:
★★★★★
