Whin

Whin

Ulex euorpaedus

  Pea family

Officially named Gorse but known as Whin in Scotland, this evergreen shrub grows profusely in Spring and sporadically for the rest of the year.

In the past its roles were many and varied and included being used as cattle food, for domestic fuel, for making yellow dye, as well as for hanging washing on and sweeping chimneys.

The brown seed pods explode audibly in dry weather scattering their poisonous seeds to the surrounding ground.