gorse....?

What's gorse - you may well ask? Gorse (ulex europaeus) is dense green spiny shrub with brilliant yellow flowers. It is flowering at the moment, totally dominating the landscape across Northern Island. The flowers can be used to make pickles and, along with the bark, produce a yellow dye. They've also been used to add flavour and colour to beer, whisky, wine and tea!! In ancient times the flowers were used for their purging effects and in the treatment of a range of diseases such as scarlet fever and jaundice. The seeds have been soaked and used as flea repellant! What a star performer!