gorse

Everyday

A thick, prickly bush with sharp spines and bright yellow flowers that smell a little like coconut, growing on heaths, hillsides and cliffs; also called «furze» or «whin». tree →

In the lessons

In nature lessons in the UK and Ireland, gorse grows on moors, heaths and coastal paths and gives food and shelter for birds and insects. There is a saying: «When gorse is out of bloom, kissing's out of fashion», because some gorse is flowering nearly all year. In New Zealand gorse is a big weed problem brought from Britain. Safety: gorse is very prickly and burns easily.

Examples

• The hillside was covered in yellow gorse. tree →
• Gorse flowers smell like coconut. tree →
• I scratched my legs on the gorse bushes. tree →
• Small birds nest safely in the prickly gorse. tree →
• Gorse fires can spread fast in dry weather. tree →
• In New Zealand, gorse is a weed that farmers try to remove. tree →

Note

Uncountable: «a gorse bush», «some gorse». Close names: «furze», «whin». Not the same as «horse».