Leaf
Mathieu MENAND, Tela Botanica · CC BY-SA 2.0
Common laburnum
Laburnum anagyroides Medik.
Also known as: Laburnum, Golden chain tree, Golden rain
Family: Fabaceae
3 to 6 m tall, sometimes as a small tree
Hedges, mountain woodland edges, often planted
Flowering: May
Full sun
Part shade
Hardy to -20°C
❓ How do you recognise this plant?
Spectacular long golden racemes in May — but all parts, especially the seeds, are toxic.
🍃 Leaves
Three oval leaflets, slightly silky beneath
🌸 Flowers
Long, pendent, golden-yellow racemes, very showy
🍎 Fruits
Toxic brown pods persisting over winter
🪵 Bark
Brown-green, smooth
🗺️ Distribution
Central and southern Europe; cultivated and sometimes subspontaneous in France, notably in the mountains.
🐝 Value for pollinators
Long yellow racemes, very rich in nectar, particularly attractive to bumblebees in spring.
✂️ Horticultural uses
Planted as a specimen or over a pergola for its spectacular pendent golden-yellow racemes; to be kept away from places frequented by young children because of its toxicity.
⚠️ Possible toxicity
The whole plant, especially the seeds, is very toxic (cytisine), causing vomiting, convulsions and a risk to life if a large amount is eaten.
🌿 Other Fabaceae to discover
ℹ️ Educational profile — do not use it to judge whether a plant is edible or safe.
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