Gorse

I used to worry when I saw Gorse flowering in the winter, worried that it was a sign of impending climate doom. And, although the climate may be doomed, gorse flowering isn't a sign of it. Then I discovered that there are several species of subtly different Gorse, and that Gorse can be found in flower somewhere at any time of the year.  Gorse (Ulex) is a spiky evergreen shrub, very common across most British environments and is a useful plant in many ways. In harsh winters livestock will forage for Gorse, the forest ponies particularly enjoy the regrowth from forestry Gorse burning. Humans too can enjoy the flowers in salads, or as Hobbit and I used to do, make a very palatable white flower wine of it. Best picked for wine in Spring, when as the sun begins to warm the land the heady aroma of coconut created by the Gorse flowers fills the air. Beautiful. Just thinking about it reminds me of the joys of foraging and wine making, and drinking. If you've ever burnt Gorse you'll know it burns fast and fierce and in many regions it was utilized to heat bread ovens, being very sustainable and being invasive, easy to cultivate. It's wood is durable and weather resistant, and being tight grained and non toxic is good for spoon whittling.  All round a useful plant, although I'd imagine now much overlooked.