GORSE : SPURGE LAUREL, ETC. 299 



branched thorns in their axils, all greyish green, pube- 

 scent, and very sharp and rigid. Spines 3 6 cm. long. 



Ulex nanus, L., the Dwarf Furze, is smaller, with 

 more slender and crowded thorns, about 1 3 cm. 



[It should be noted that the above only applies to 

 grown-up plants : the seedlings have true compound tri- 

 foliolate, hairy and stipulate leaves, proper to the group of 

 LeguminosaB to which the genus Ulex belongs. See p. 161. 

 Sometimes the spines (branches) of older plants bear a 

 few minute unifoliolate leaves.] 



** Shoots entirely devoid of spines or thorns. 



[The narrow leaves of the conifers may be somewhat 

 sharp-pointed (pungent), but they are not converted into 

 true spines. See pp. 316 318.] 



t Leaves foliaceous and of appreciable breadth, [For ft see 

 neither scale-like nor acicular, linear, &c. P* '""I 



Shoots and leaves glandular hairy, aromatic 

 when bruised, the latter cuneate-oblong and 

 serratulate at the tips, or lanceolate. 



Myrica Gale often has its cuneate-oblong or lanceolate 

 leaves entire, and may then be sought for here. See p. 283. 



Neither glandular hairy nor aromatic. 



CJ Leaves highly polished, or shining above, 

 hard or tough evergreen. 



Leaves at least 3 15 cm. long ; more 

 or less oblong -lanceolate, and in tufts 

 at the end of the shoots', edges not 

 revolute. 



$ Shoots remarkably supple and tough. 



Daphne Laureola, L. Spurge Laurel (Fig. 116). Small 

 under-shrub with remarkably pliant and tough stems. 



