Article Nº 0813 Plant Vol. I · p. 482
Gorse (Ulex europaeus)
Original title: Carqueja (Ulex europaeus)
Gorse (Ulex europaeus), introduced to Madeira by the first Count of Carvalhal in the early 19th century, now widespread and used as fodder.
A European plant introduced by the 1st Count of Carvalhal (‘oak grove’) to his quinta (country estate), the Quinta do Palheiro, in the first quarter of the 19th century. It is now very widespread in the middle zone of the island, where, often together with broom, it forms extensive thickets. The young shoots of this plant, once suitably crushed because of the spines, make excellent fodder for livestock. Gorse (carqueja) is known in mainland Portugal by the name tojo.
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