| Laburnum anagyroides | |
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Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Laburnum |
| Species: | L. anagyroides |
| Binomial name | |
| Laburnum anagyroides Medik., 1787 | |
| Synonyms | |
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Laburnum anagyroides (syn.Cytisus laburnum), thecommon laburnum,golden chain orgolden rain, is a species of flowering plant in the subfamilyFaboideae, and genusLaburnum.Laburnum alpinum is closely related. It is native toCentral andSouthern Europe.
The plant grows and flowers in damp and mild habitats, especially in thecalcareous soils of Southern Europe.
The plant is a small deciduous tree or large shrub up to 7 metres (23 ft) tall. It has smooth bark, dark green spreading branches and pendulous and pubescent twigs. The leaves are generally trifoliate and oval with long petioles, smooth on the upperside and hairy on the underside. It flowers during May and June.[1]
Laburnum anagyroides blooms in late spring with pea-like, yellow flowers densely packed in pendulousracemes 10–25 cm (4–10 in) long. The flowers are golden yellow, sweet scented, and typically bloom in May.
The pods arelegumes with large numbers of black seeds that containcytisine, analkaloid somewhat poisonous to humans as well as 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.
The tree is also known asfalse ebony since the wood from very old specimens could be used in place ofebony.
A substance from the plant,cytisine, is used as a medicine for smoking cessation.
Laburnum anagyroides is cultivated as anornamental tree. The most commonornamental plant in the genus is a hybrid between this species andLaburnum alpinum —Laburnum × watereri.
The English poetFrancis Thompson described thelaburnum 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 writerJ. R. R. Tolkien was inspired by thelaburnum for his creation ofLaurelin, one of the two mythological trees inThe Silmarillion, and Tolkien's description of it is strongly influenced by Thompson's verses.[2]
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