''Ulex densus'' ( Portuguese: ''tojo-gatunho'' or ''tojo-da-charneca'') is an evergreen shrub in the family

Fabaceae The Fabaceae or Leguminosae,International Code of Nomenc ...

Description

''Ulex densus'' is an evergreen shrub up to in height. It is densely ramified and forms a compact, closed pillow with dry brown stems and a bright green outside. It has spines up to long and secondary spines up to . Fruits are as large as the plant's

calyx Calyx or calyce (plural "calyces"), from the Latin ''calix'' which itself comes from the Ancient Greek ''κάλυξ'' (''kálux'') meaning "husk" or "pod", may refer to: Biology * Calyx (anatomy), collective name for several cup-like structures ...

and have 1-2 seeds.

Distribution and habitat

''Ulex densus'' grows in the central-west coast of Portugal, mainly on the Lisbon District, southern

Leiria District The District of Leiria ( pt, Distrito de Leiria ) is a district located in Centro region of Portugal, divided between the traditional provinces of Beira Litoral and Estremadura. It borders on the north with district of Coimbra, on the east with ...

and in the

Arrábida Natural Park Arrábida Natural Park ( pt, Parque Natural da Arrábida) is a protected area in Portugal. Founded in 1976, the park occupies an area of , ( on land and at sea) covering the southernmost margin of the Setúbal Peninsula. One of the park's unique ...

. It lives in woods and cliffs along the coast, but also ''Quercus'' forests (''

Quercus rotundifolia ''Quercus rotundifolia'', the holm oak or ballota oak, is an evergreen oak native to the western Mediterranean region, with the majority on the Iberian Peninsula and minor populations in Northwest Africa. The species was first described by Jean- ...

'' and '' Quercus suber'') more inland, from sea level to altitude and prefers limestone substrates.

Threats

It is mainly threatened by quarries, urbanisation, industrial or commercial areas, communication networks, trampling, overuse and natural fires.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q2752746 densus Endemic flora of Portugal Flora of Portugal Endemic flora of the Iberian Peninsula