Western Gorse (Ulex Gallii) is a spiky evergreen shrub with yellow flowers produced predominantly in late summer and autumn. The flowers give off a smell similar to coconut. Gorse reacts well to fire, growing back from the root. It is faster growing than heather and can out-compete it after a burn, which leads to a loss of heather cover and available grazing. Although sheep will graze fresh gorse shoots, they will not eat it once the leaves become too woody.

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