Back to main Search Page

Laburnum anagyroides - Medik.

Laburnum

Author	Medik.	Botanical references	11, 50, 200
Family	Leguminosae	Genus	Laburnum
Synonyms	Cytisus laburnum - L. Laburnum vulgare - C.Presl.
Known Hazards	All parts of the plant, and especially the seed, are poisonous[1, 61].
Range	C. and S. Europe.
Habitat	Woods and scrub on limestone[50, 200].
Edibility Rating	0 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	1 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

A decidious Tree growing to 6m by 6m at a fast rate.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Habitats

Woodland Garden; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Pectoral.

The seed contains the poisonous alkaloid 'cystisine'. This has been used in the treatment of whooping cough and asthma[4].

Other Uses

Insecticide; Rootstock; Wood.

This plant is often used as a rootstock for other members of the pea and bean family[11]. The seeds contain the poisonous alkaloid 'cytisine'. This has insecticidal properties similar to nicotine (Nicotiana spp.) but cannot be recommended for used since it needs to be used in such a concentration that it can then be absorbed over a wide area of the body with possibly fatal results[4]. Wood - coarse grained, durable, dark coloured and very hard, it can be used as an ebony substitute[4, 11, 46]. It is much in demand among turners, and is used in making instruments and furniture especially where strength and smoothness are important[4, 11, 46, 61].

Scented Plants

Flowers: Fresh

The flowers are delicately scented.

Cultivation details

A very tolerant and easily grown plant, it succeeds in almost any soil or situation[1] so long as it is not water-logged[11]. It grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in cold exposed situations and tolerates industrial pollution[200]. Plants can be successfully transplanted even when quite large[200]. The flowers are delicately scented[245]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[200].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse or cold frame[200]. Germination is usually very quick and good[78]. Prick out indoor-sown seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer. Another option is to pre-soak the stored seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in an outdoor seed bed in early spring. These plants an be allowed to grow on in the seedbed for two years before planting them out in the winter. Cuttings of mature wood in late winter planted in the open ground[200].

Links

References

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[46] Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.

[50] ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964
An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.

[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Laburnum anagyroides

sven ostergaard Fri Aug 17 2007

what to do, if poison by the plant, I am

Add a comment/link:

Discussion Monitor

To have posts to this page mailed to you enter your email address here:

(Your email address will not appear on the webpage or be passed on to third parties).