Vibrant cover

The distinctive yellow flowers of common gorse, Ulex europaeus, provide a welcome splash of colour in the early spring countryside. A large, evergreen shrub, it grows wild on open moorland or in coastal regions. As a member of the pea, bean and legume family, this plant can fix nitrogen to nodules on its roots. This enables it to live in areas of poor soil quality. The needle-like leaves help protect it from grazing animals. As well as its attractive colour, gorse provides food and shelter for many insects and birds, including stonechats and yellowhammers.