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Story: Weeds of agriculture

Gorse

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Gorse

Gorse has invaded many thousands of hectares of farmland in New Zealand, and is easily the most widespread and costly brushweed. It rapidly colonises any bare ground, and seeds will survive in the ground for many years, ready to germinate when the soil is freshly disturbed. Gorse is controlled mainly by spraying with chemicals.

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Natural Sciences Image Library of New Zealand

Reference: Di78114Rbt.tif

by G. R. Roberts

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How to cite this page

Ian Popay, Weeds of agriculture – Introduction of weeds, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/16471/gorse (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Ian Popay, published 1 March 2009.