Evergreen shrub from the Atlantic margin of Europe introduced to and spreading in many parts of the world. In SW Britain U. europaeus hybridizes with U. galli Planch.
Leaves are present only at the seedling stage but thereafter are replaced by spines or scales.
The hermaphrodite yellow flowers are usually insect-pollinated and 1 to 3 of them are bone on axillary clusters. A persistent seed bank is formed as some seeds remain viable for up to 28 years in the soil. In Britain flowering time varies from January to May according to latitude and set seeds two months later. Seed germination and seedling survival is lower under a U. europaeus canopy than in the open. When cut it coppices freely and following fire seed germination leads to high densities of seedlings.