Ulex baeticus Boiss. subsp. scaber (Kunze) Cubas
U. scaber Kunze
Eng.: Gorse. Spa.: Tojo. Fre.: Ajonc. Ara.: Chebroq.
Suffrutex or subshrub, up to 0.8(1) m in height, spiny, hermaphrodite, hemispherical. Branching dense and intricate. Stems and branches from puberulous to villous, with short, curved hairs, and long, patent hairs, usually scarce. Spines up to 10 mm long; primary spines alternate, patent and straight, glabrescent but somewhat hairy at the base; secondary spines straight, glabrescent or glabrous, alternate, subopposite, regularly arranged along the primary spines, neither fasciculate nor trifurcate. Phyllodes 2-7 mm, rigid, spinescent, lanceolate-linear to subulate, somewhat villous or glabrescent. Bracteoles 1-1.5 × 1-1.5 mm, ovate or ovate-triangular, same width as the pedicel or slightly wider; pedicels 2-4 mm. It differs from the previous species mainly by its larger flowers (10-14 mm long) and hairs slightly applied. Calyx c. 10 mm long, bilabiate, light yellow, with short and applied hairs on the distal portion and long hairs on the basal portion, glabrescent when mature; the upper lip 2.5-3 mm wide, rounded; the lower lip tapering towards the base. Corolla 10-12 mm, papilionoid, yellow, with standard 11-12 × 6-8 mm, glabrous, wings 8.5-10 × 2-3 mm and keel 9.5-11 × 3-4 mm, longer than the wings. Androecium monadelphous. Overy hairy. Pod 8-11 × 4-5 mm, balck, oblong, slightly compressed, stipitate, usually with 2-4 seeds. Seeds 2.5-3 × 1.8-2.2 mm, ovoid, dark brown, smoth, shinny, with yellowish aril.
Flowering:
In winter, from December to May
Fruiting:
Spring to summer.
Habitat:
Thickets on basic soils, mainly on calcareous and marl soils, on thermomediterranean floors.
Distribution:
Endemic to the Betic-Rif area, present in the region of Algeciras and in the Rif.
Observations:
We also have to mention U. europaeus L. subsp. Europaeus. It is a supposedly extinct taxon in Algeria, where it was cited as cultivated in Algiers by Maire, and in the Kabylia area by Font Quer. It seems to be a somewhat recent introduction related to pasture practices (fodder, fertiliser, livestock beds), since there is evidence of this species being used in these practices in other parts of the world (e.g. Argentina, Australia, South Africa).
Conservation status:
A relatively common but with a small distribution area, not considered threatened. Currently, it has not been assessed at a global level in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
