Called whin in the North of Ireland and gorse in the east, furze was once a symbol of wealth and fertility of land as is emphasized by the saying: "gold under furze, silver under rushes and famine under heather" As indigenous to the early summer landscape as rhododendrons, it is despised by farmers because of its invasive properties; but in the past, it had many good uses. It ignites quickly, so it was used for starting the fire: it was also used for cleaning the chimney, tilling the soil...
