medicinal herbs
Spanish Gorse
Genista hispanica

• Medicinal herbs
• Natural herbs
• Latin names
• Common names

Herb: Spanish Gorse

Latin name: Genista hispanica

Family: Leguminosae

Medicinal use of Spanish Gorse:

The flowers have been used in the treatment of dropsy.

Description of the plant:

Habitat of the herb:

Scrub and open rocky hills in lowland and mountains.

Other uses of Spanish Gorse:

Plants can be grown as a low hedge. A good ground cover for sunny positions. Plants take about 2 years to form an effective cover. They should be spaced about 60cm apart each way and can be pruned back hard if they become open or straggly with age.

Propagation of the herb:

The seed requires a period of cold stratification and is best sown autumn in a cold frame. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water and sow February in a cold frame. Good germination. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10 cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Roots are formed in the spring. Cuttings of ripe wood, 5 - 10 cm with a heel, September/October in a frame. Good percentage. Plant out the following autumn.

Cultivation of Spanish Gorse:

Scrub and open rocky hills in lowland and mountains.

Known hazards of Genista hispanica:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.