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 

 Leguminosse 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 s 

 neither scale-like nor acicular, linear, &c. P- ^ 



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. 



I~l Leaves highly polished, or shining above, 

 hard or tough evergreen. 



Leaves at least 3 15 em. 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. 



