Species - Common Gorse (Ulex europaeus)
Location - Castle Hill, Huddersfield
Grid Ref - SE 15115 13930
Common Gorse, or simply Gorse, can be found in most places in the UK from coastlines to mountain sides. It generally flowers from January to June, but I have seen it in flower all year round at my nearest patch at Castle Hill where it covers the hillside.
Gorse offers smaller birds like Yellowhammer, Stonechat and Warblers protection from larger birds of prey who can’t fit into the undergrowth.
The coconut scented yellow flowers have been used to make yellow dye for years, and in olden times Gorse has been used to treat jaundice, with the leaves used to make tea.
There is an old saying which goes 'When Gorse is out of bloom, Kissing's out of season,' and an old custom in some parts of the country of inserting a spray of Gorse in the bridal bouquet.
