Genista hispanica

Genista hispanica, the Spanish gorse, or anlaga, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to southern France and northern Spain.^[2] It is a dense, low, cushion-like deciduous shrub growing to 0.7 metres high, with very spiny shoots. The flowers are bright yellow, in terminal clusters on the outside surface of the shrub; the flowers are typical peaflower structure, with 8–11 mm standard and wing petals.^[3]

The following subspecies are accepted:^[2]

• Genista hispanica subsp. hispanica — in the east of the species range in northeastern Spain, southern France
• Genista hispanica subsp. occidentalis Rouy — in the west of the species range in southwestern France (western Pyrenees), northern Spain

Introduced to Britain as a garden plant in 1759, it has become widely naturalised in England and Wales, and locally in Scotland, typically on sandy or stony soils.^[4] It is suited for borders, wall and rock gardens, gravelly soils, and coastal situations.^[5]