U'LEX HIBER'NICA.
IRISH FURZE.
Class. Order.
M0NADELPI1IA. DECANDRIA.
Natural Order.
LEGUMINOSiE.
No. 822.
The name of this genus is said to he derivedfrom a Celtic word, in allusion to its spines orsharp points. The French name, ajonc, has refer-ence to the same idea.
The plant which we have now to notice issometimes called Ulex strictus, but was first bo-tanically described bythelate David Don,under thename we have adopted, and as a species distinctfrom Euro pa; us and nanus. It flowers very spar-ingly, but it might be known at sight from itspeculiar mode of growth ; which certainly is notelegant, although such as the florist may sometimesavail himself of with advantage. Each plant be-comes a compact formal round tuft, as sketchedon our plate, and the flowers are borne on shortstraight upright branches, which appear like dis-tinct subjects, grown through a bed of moss.
It has been strongly recommended as an agri-cultural plant, cattle and sheep being very fondof its young succulent shoots; and for such apurpose it may be increased, to any extent, withthe greatest facility by layering, at any season ofthe year. It flourishes in a light soil.
Don’s Syst. Bot. 2, 148.