Distribution of gorse (Ulex europaeus L.) a noxious weed in Hawaii

Author:

Markin, George P., Dekker, Laurel A., Lapp, Joyce A., Nagata, Roddy F.

Title:

Distribution of gorse (Ulex europaeus L.) a noxious weed in Hawaii

Periodical:

Hawaiian Botanical Society Newsletter

Year:

1988

Volume:

27

Pages:

110-117

Subject:

Gorse Ulex europaeus Invasive weeds

Summary:

A native of Western Europe, Gorse (Ulex eropaeus L.), is a thorny shrub that is part of the Papilionideae subfamily of the Leguminosae family that is also known as Fabaceae. Deliberately spread by humans, it was once considered beneficial when used as a hedge, (before barbed wire was used for fencing), and was also used as a grazing substance for sheep and goats. However, since sheep were replaced by cattle that did minimal grazing on this weed and the seeds from this everlasting plant can remain viable for up to 30 years, gorse became a noxious weed. As a result, this was still a well-established weed in the Haleakala and Makawao areas on the island of Maui and in areas that surround Mauna Kea on the island of Hawaii despite several attempts at major chemical control. A survey conducted between the years of 1984 - 1987 showed that gorse was restricted to approximately 20,415 acres on the island of Hawaii and to approximately 14,789 acres on the island of Maui. The survey also showed that the greatest abundance of gorse occurred between the 2,070 to the 7,380 foot elevations where rainfall ranges from 122 cm to more than 400 cm per year.

Label:

Botany - Gorse

Date:

1988

Collection:

Periodicals