in botany: A genus of plants of the class of diadelphia, and order of de andra; and in the natural system arranged under the 3rd order, Papilionaceae. The calyx consists of two leaves quinquedentate; pod almost covered by the calyx. There are two species; one of which, the Europaeus, the furze, gorse, or whin, is a native of Britain; it is too well known to need description. Its uses, however, are many; as a fuel where wood and coals are scarce; and as hedge-wood upon light barren land; its use as horse provender too seems to be fully proved though not yet established. See Agriculture, § 47, and Fence.