Western gorse

Key traits

Adventitious roots and buds making western 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).

Western gorse is noted to have fire stimulated seed germination (Allchin 1998) from soil seed banks (Stokes et al. 2003). Dispersal occurs by explosive dehiscence; thus the majority of seed is dispersed within the vicinity of the parent plant. Seed longevity has declined to 38% 1 year after production (Stokes et al. 2003).

Plant response to fire

Studies in the UK indicated that western 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 occurs, these had significantly regrown 4 years after the fire (Stokes et al. 2004). Western gorse is noted to achieve rapid population growth rates following fire (Stokes et al. 2004). Maximum population growth rate for western 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 western gorse appears to be 3 years (Stokes et al. 2004).

Timing of life history

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