Laburnum anagyroides
| Common Laburnum | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Tribe: | Genisteae |
| Genus: | Laburnum |
| Species: | L. anagyroides |
| Binomial name | |
| Laburnum anagyroides Medik., 1787 |
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| Synonyms | |
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Cytisus laburnum L. |
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Laburnum anagyroides (Common Laburnum, Golden Chain or Golden Rain) is a species of small deciduous trees or large shrubs up to 7 m tall in the genus Laburnum, native to Central and Southern Europe. It is a popular ornamental plant, along with the other species in the genus, L. alpinum, and especially the hybrid between them, L. × watereri. L. anagyroides blooms in late spring with pea-like, yellow flowers densely packed in pendulous racemes 10-20 cm (4-8 in) long. All parts of the plant contain cytisine and are poisonous if consumed.
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[edit] Description
A shrub with smooth bark, dark green spreading branches and pendulous and pubescent twigs. The leaves (made of three leaflets) have a long pedunculus, are smooth on the upperside and hairy on the underside. The flowers are golden yellow and sweet scented, are grouped in pendulous racemes up to 25 cm long, and typically bloom in May. The seeds are legumes with large numbers of black seeds that contain cytisine, an alkaloid extremely poisonous to humans but also goats and horses, especially when not ripe. However, some wild animals such as hares and deer can feed on them without any problems, and because of this the plant is believed to have magic properties in some regions. The wood is hard and heavy, of a yellow/brown colour, ideal for making posts, for woodturning and as fuel. In the past (and today on historic re-enactments) it was used for making bows.
[edit] Distribution and habitat
Grows and flowers in damp and mild habitats, especially in calcareous soil (Southern Europe).
[edit] Curiosities
The tree is also known as false ebony since the wood from very old individuals could be used in place of ebony.
The English poet Francis Thompson described the laburnum in one of his poems:
Mark yonder, how the long laburnum drips
Its jocund spilth of fire, its honey of wild flame!—Francis Thompson, Sister Songs (1895)
The writer J. R. R. Tolkien was inspired by the laburnum for his creation of Laurelin, one of the two mythological trees in The Silmarillion, and Tolkien's description of it is strongly influenced by Thompson's verses.[1]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Tolkien, J. R. R.. "The later Quenta Silmarillion". In Christopher Tolkien. Morgoth's Ring. Fulham: HarperCollinsPublishers. pp. 157. ISBN 0-261-10300-8.
[edit] External links
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Wikispecies has information related to: Laburnum anagyroides |
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