Dwarf gorse

Key traits

Adventitious roots and buds making dwarf gorse capable of resprouting from the roots and burnt stumps (Stokes et al. 2003). This species is deep rooting with tap roots reaching down to 76cm (Stokes et al. 2003).

Dwarf Gorse is noted to have fire stimulated seed germination (Hossaert-Palauqui 1980). Seeds are dispersed primarily through explosive seed ejection from pods, although ants have been observed carrying U. minor seeds in Dorset heathlands (Stokes et al. 2003).

Plant response to fire

Studies in the UK indicated that dwarf gorse seeds sprout immediately after fire, with the early population being seedlings rather than vegetative regrowth (Stokes et al. 2004). Around a year following the fire vegetative resprouting observed. It appears to take ~7 years after the fire for larger stem diameters to become common (Stokes et al. 2004). Growth rate is therefore rapid but is slower than in western gorse (Stokes et al. 2004). Maximal population growth rate for dwarf gorse is achieved at a 16 year fire return interval and declines thereafter (Stokes et al. 2004), the minimum fire return interval required to maintain a persistent population of U. minor appears to be 4 years (Stokes et al. 2004).

Timing of life history

Perennial species. Seeds likely produced from second growing season. Flowering July to October.