Gorse, Ulex europaeus.
Gorse is closely related to the brooms, and like them, has green stems and very small leaves and is adapted to dry growing conditions. Between the different species, some gorse is almost always in flower, hence the old country phrase: “When gorse is out of blossom, kissing’s out of fashion”. Gorse flowers have a distinctive coconut scent, experienced very strongly by some individuals, but weakly by others. Present on the viaduct in Muswell Hill.
