Laburnum

Laburnum, also known as golden chain, is a genus of two species of small trees in the subfamily Faboideae of the pea family Fabaceae. The species are Laburnum anagyroides—common laburnum and Laburnum alpinum—alpine laburnum. They are native to the mountains of southern Europe from France to the Balkan Peninsula.

Description

Laburnum has smooth, olive-brown bark and has a spreading habit of growth. Its leaves are trifoliate, somewhat like a clover; the leaflets are typically 2–3 cm long in L. anagyroides and 4–5 cm long in L. alpinum. The trees are deciduous.

Cultivation

Laburnum is often used as an ornamental tree due to its vibrant yellow flowers. The flowers are golden yellow, sweet-scented, produced in pendulous racemes 10–20 cm long in spring, which makes them very popular garden trees. In cultivation in the UK, Laburnum × watereri (Voss's laburnum) has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Toxicity

All parts of the plant are poisonous, and can be lethal if consumed in excess. Laburnum seeds and other parts of the plant are toxic and can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, and coma. Children can be attracted to the seeds, which contain the alkaloid cytisine.

Uses

The hard, dense wood is a deep yellow in color and is often used for cabinet making and inlay work, as well as for musical instruments. It also makes good firewood.

See also

• List of poisonous plants
• Cytisine
• Fabaceae

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  Laburnum anagyroides flowering

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  Freshly cross cut Laburnum with heart-wood