Mountain bite: Ote Zuria

1996/01/01 Terés, Joxepo Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Botanika

It must be said that the family of legumes that this species forms together with others is very diverse and abundant. That is, this family is formed by a large number of different trees, shrubs and plants, but if we look at the shape of the flower of their nuclei, we can know with some ease the family to which they belong and the same will happen if we analyze the fruit, which gives the typical legumes that we know.

(Photo: J. Terés).

If we focus on the genus Ulex, we must say that it is a very branched and thorny shrub, probably known to all. In the Basque Country there are usually two species of this genus (Ulex europaeus and U. gallii), but it is possible that in Iparralde there is another species (U. menor). However, taking into account the variability of the species of this genus and according to the studies carried out to date, we cannot say that no other appears.

On this occasion, the white argoma that occupies us, comes to have a spider of 2,5 meters of height and appear ready to chop its main branches, always upright and thorny. The leaves of this species are filoctas, that is, in the form of thorns, which come out of the armpits forming groups of asterisks. Between the months of December and May, in the axils of the philosophers there are many bright yellow flowers, although throughout the year some appear. The fruit is black and dark beans. It grows in western Europe and is very common in Euskal Herria, where the oceanic climate and soils are acidic, especially. It extends from the level of the sel to the summits of the mountain and colonizes bushes and heath substitutes of oak, marojales and beech.

This plant has an alkaloid called a swine, so it is used to tone the heart. It is also used to cure asthma and headache. This alkaloid is mainly found in the seeds, but it must be used carefully as it can be dangerous. Flowers have been considered as infusions against hydropesis.

Technical information White Family: legumin>Species: Ulex europaeusDistribution: normal on the Atlantic slope Habitat: forest replacement in shrubs