GORSE: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, CULTIVATION AND CARE - BIOLOGY - 2024

The gorse (Genista scorpius) is a medium - sized thorny shrub belonging to the family Fabaceae. Known as gorse, arbulaga, argoma, gorse, hawthorn, ginesta, olaguín, piorno or retamón, it is an endemic plant of the western Mediterranean region.

Highly branched shrubby plant that can be up to 2 m high, with a grayish-green bark covered with firm, curved spines. The scarce leaves are small, alternate and uniform, the yellow papillionaceous flowers are grouped into 2-3 units and the fruit is a flattened legume.

Gorse (Genista scorpius). Source: pixabay.com

The specific epithet comes from the noun "scorpius" which means "scorpion", referring to the strong pricks caused by its spines. It blooms abundantly between March and June, bears fruit throughout the summer, and the legumes ripen evenly in late summer.

Its flowers are used in a traditional way to dye wool cloths, fabrics and upholstery yellow. It is believed that gorse stained fabrics are not attacked by moths.

In addition, it has medicinal properties, infusions of its flowers and its seeds act as cardiotonic, diuretic, depurative, purgative, vasoconstrictor and emetic. However, the seeds have secondary metabolites that are toxic, so their frequent consumption should be restricted.

General characteristics

Appearance

Shrubby plant with erect growth, it is 2 m high and has intricate branching, ashen bark and hirsute when young, dark and smooth when adult. The branches have strong lateral, axial, recurved and sharp spines, arranged alternately.

Leaves

Scarce, simple, alternate, unifoliate and stipulate leaves, glabrous on the upper surface and pubescent on the underside. They are generally elliptical or lanceolate in shape and are 3 to 9 mm in length.

flowers

Gorse flowers (Genista scorpius). Source: pixabay.com

The flowers with a papilionaceous corolla and an intense yellow color are arranged in groups of 2-3, in the axils of the spines or on the short lateral branches. It has leaf-like bracts, five yellow petals, an obovate banner 9 mm long, and 10 monadelpho stamens.

Fruit

The fruit is a smooth, elongated and flattened legume of brown color, with thick margins that is 15-35 mm long. Inside there are 2 to 7 seeds that are marked on the outside.

Taxonomy

- Kingdom: Plantae

- Division: Magnoliophyta

- Class: Magnoliopsida

- Order: Fabales

- Family: Fabaceae

- Subfamily: Faboideae

- Tribe: Genisteae

- Genus: Genista

- Species: Genista scorpius (L.) DC.

Etymology

- Genista: the name of the genus comes from the Latin term «genesta». In the Spanish dictionary "genista" means broom, alluding to the shrubs with flexible and thin branches with few leaves.

- scorpius: the specific adjective derives from the Latin noun «scorpius» which means «scorpion». Alluding to the painful pricks produced by its spines.

Subspecies

- Genista scorpius subsp. myriantha (BALL) Emb. & Maire.

Branches with thorns of gorse (Genista scorpius). Source: Xemenendura

Synonymy

- Spartium scorpius, L. 1753

- Genista purgans, L. 1759

- Genista spiniflora, Lam. 1779

- Spartium purgans (L.) Salisb. 1796

- Cytisus purgans, (L.) Boiss. 1839

- Corniola scorpius, (L.) C. Presl. 1845

- Drymospartum purgans, (L.) C. Presl 1845

- Spartocytisus purgans (L.) Webb & Berthel. 1846

- Genista scorpius var. campylocarpa, Willk. 1851

- Genista scorpius var. macracantha, Rouy & Foucaud in Rouy 1897

- Genista scorpius var. acutangula, Vayr. 1900

- Genista salesii, Sennen 1927

- Argelasia scorpius, (L.) Fourr. 1953

- Corothamnus purgans, (L.) Ponert 1973

Classification

Among the species of the genus Genista associated with gorse (Genista scorpius), the following can be mentioned:

- Genista aetnensis: it is the largest plant of the genus, reaching up to 3.5 m in height. It can be grown as a small tree, although it is not very hardy.

- Genista baetica: known as yellow broom, it is a squat shrub with abundant thorns.

- G. canariensis: native species of the Canary Islands, it grows up to 1.5 m in height.

- G. cinerea: shrub with erect and flexible branches, generally 8-10 ribs and reaching 1.5 m in height.

- Genista falcata: 1 m high thorny shrub known as gorse, characterized by the fact that the adult branches are devoid of leaves.

- Genista florida: medium-sized shrub that reaches 3 m in height, known as broom, broom or white broom. The leaves are lanceolate and with a tomentose underside, they measure 15 mm. A yellow tint is obtained from its flowers.

- G. haenseleri: 2 m tall shrub known as bolina. Its branches are cylindrical and striated, with lanceolate and tomentose leaves.

- G. hispánica: short shrub that reaches just 50 cm high. It is a kind of prostrate habit, dense and thorny branches, used for cover.

- Genista hirsuta: 1 m high, dense and strongly thorny bushes. The branches have five prominent ribs along the length.

- Genista lucida: stunted and thorny shrub known as gatosa.

- G. lydia: 90 cm high plant, arched and scattered branches, with deciduous leaves of bluish tones. Ideal for covering rockeries and walls.

- G. sanabrensis: the genista from Sanabria is endemic to this region of Spain. It is very thorny, has a prostrate growth habit and its branches are provided with 10-12 ribs.

- Genista ramosissima: 1.5 m tall shrub, known as retamón. It is characterized by its long, hanging, fluted branches with numerous knots.

- Genista scorpius: 2 m tall plant, called gorse or gorse. The very spiny branches have 8 longitudinal ribs; the flowers are used to obtain a natural yellow tint.

- G. spartioides: 1.5 m tall shrub known as bolina. Branches striated longitudinally, spiny and devoid of leaves.

- G. tinctorea: its specific name derives from the dye that is extracted from its roots. It is commonly known as dyers broom.

- Genista triacanthos: 1 m high shrub, its firm and strong spines are grouped into three units. Known as Moorish gorse.

- Genista umbellata: grows to more than 1 m in height, lacks thorns and its bark is yellowish. It is known as a bowline.

Detail of gorse (Genista scorpius) spines. Source: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz

Habitat and distribution

Endemic plant of the western Mediterranean basin that is distributed by the southeast of France, east of the Iberian Peninsula and certain localities in North Africa. In Spain it is located in the communities of Aragon, Castile, Catalonia, Navarra and Valencia, being occasional in the regions of Atlantic influence.

The Genista scorpius species is part of the vegetation of Mediterranean scrub, fallow land, grasslands, fenalar, thyme or kermes oak, pine and juniper forests. It is located on the meso-Mediterranean and supra-Mediterranean floors, from the hill to the montane floor, characterized by environments between dry and humid.

It grows on soils of calcareous or loamy origin, generally carbonated with an alkaline pH, on open slopes in full sun exposure. In some areas it forms monospecific scrub, particularly in highly degraded areas, being rare at elevations with high rainfall.

It is considered a bioindicator species of continental climate. In fact, its presence is reduced in the littoral zone and increases towards the continental zone.

Detail of gorse flowers (Genista scorpius). Source: pixabay.com

Culture

Requirements

- The establishment of the crop requires full sun exposure, loose and well-drained soils, preferably sandy and with low fertility.

- Gorse requires temperate climates, as it is susceptible to low temperatures, however, it is a plant that tolerates drought.

- The ideal temperature for its growth and development ranges between 18-22 ° C.

- Irrigation should be more abundant during the summer and occasionally during the winter, however, this species is not very susceptible to lack of humidity.

Reproduction

Plants of the genus Genista are commonly propagated by seed during the spring or through cuttings during the summer. In the case of the Genista scorpius species, fresh seeds collected directly from healthy and vigorous plants are used.

The seeds do not require pre-germination treatment or special care, they only need a permeable substrate and moisture during the germination process. Sowing by seeds is carried out at the beginning of spring so that the cool environment promotes its growth and development.

Propagation through cuttings can be established during the summer season, either in beds or pots. The cuttings, selected from lateral branches, must remain in a humid environment until the emission of roots begins, a process that is simple in this species.

Fruit or legume of gorse (Genista scorpius). Source: SABENCIA Guillermo César Ruiz

Properties

- Active principles

The roots, leaves, flowers and seeds of gorse contain various secondary metabolites, alkaloids and flavonoids with medicinal properties. These include essential oils, the alkaloid cytisine, the flavonoids luteolin and genistein, sugars, tannins, waxes, mucilages and vitamin C.

- Properties

There are several documented medicinal uses for the Genista scorpius species, better known as gorse. Among them, its cardiotonic, diuretic, depurative, purgative, vasoconstrictive and emetic effect stands out.

In addition, its consumption as an infusion, tea or decoction is recommended for the treatment of related disorders such as the heart, liver or kidney. Similarly, it is indicated to regulate symptoms of albuminuria, constipation, dropsy, hypotension, gout, lithiasis and rheumatism.

- How to use

Infusion

The infusion or tea is prepared with a handful of flowers in a cup of boiling water, strained and sweetened with honey. Its ingestion once fasting or three times a day after meals favors the health of the liver and kidneys.

Cooking

The cooking of 30 grams of fresh flowers in a liter of boiled water has a diuretic effect if 3-4 glasses a day are ingested. This same cooking, with double the amount of flowers and the same way of consumption, has laxative effects.

The decoction of the roots, taken three times a day, is used to cure liver and kidney diseases. The same decoction, incorporating leaves and flowers, is used as a gargle to cure infections of the mouth and throat.

Came

The powder of the seeds consumed in a dose of 4-5 gr in a glass of clear wine, is an artisan remedy for the treatment of dropsy. It is recommended to take two tablespoons of olive oil an hour later to regulate its effect.

Poultice

From the dried branches and flowers through a grinding process a flour with healing properties is obtained. This hot flour on a woolen cloth is placed on the face to soothe a toothache.

Dye

The flowers are used to dye wool fabrics yellow. Insecticidal properties are attributed to it against moths that attack tissues.

Field of Gorse (Genista scorpius). Source: Perec ~ eswiki

Care

Location

The establishment of the crop is carried out during the spring, trying to locate the seedlings in a place where they receive direct light.

Floor

It adapts to any type of soil, from siliceous or calcareous with alkaline pH, to stony soils, rodennes and rubiales soils.

Irrigation

Once established, the irrigation application is carried out with low intensity, just 1-2 times a week.

Subscriber

It is a plant that does not require frequent fertilization. In the case of ornamental plantations, it is recommended to apply organic fertilizers, such as composted manure or guano during spring or summer.

Pruning

Maintenance or sanitation pruning should be done in late spring or summer. Pruning consists of removing the branches that have flowered to preserve the shape and dense habit.

Pruning old or heavily lignified branches is not recommended, as woody branches do not have the ability to re-sprout.

Rusticity

It is a very resistant plant to drought, being used in some areas to restore eroded or impoverished land. Cultivated as an ornamental plant, it does not tolerate occasional frosts, so during winter if the temperature drops to -4 ºC it is necessary to protect it.

Plagues and diseases

Pests

Gorse is a rustic and resistant plant, as long as it is well cared for, it is unlikely to be attacked by insects. However, conditions such as lack of irrigation or weakness of the plant can favor the attack of certain pests, such as mealybugs or aphids.

Mealybugs with a cottony or leathery appearance are located on the underside of leaves and shoots, feeding on the sap of tender tissues. Aphids of only 5 mm yellow, green or brown are located in the buds and flower buds. Its control is with physical methods.

Diseases

The excessive application of irrigation on the foliage or the flooding of the substrate favors the appearance of fungal diseases. The presence of gray or white mold on stems and leaves, blackened stems or rots at the base of the stem, are symptoms of the presence of fungi. The control is carried out with specific fungicides.

References

1. Blasco-Zumeta, Javier. (2013) Flora of Pina de Ebro and its Region. Genista scorpius (L.) DC family. 096.
2. Genista. (2019). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org
3. Genista scorpius. (2019). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org
4. Genista scorpius (L.) DC. (2018) Southeast Regional Park. Subdirectorate General for Protected Spaces. Madrid's community.
5. Genista, Retama- Genista spp. (2017) El Jardín Bonito: A window open to the exciting world of plants, the garden and gardening. Recovered in: eljardinbonito.es
6. López Espinosa, JA (2018) Aliaga. Genista scorpius. Region of Murcia Digital. Recovered at: regmurcia.com
7. Ruiz, Fernando V. (2012) Gorse or gorse (Genista scorpius). Fernatura; Nature Portal. Recovered at: fernaturajardin.blogspot.com