View source for Laburnum anagyroides

{{Taxobox
| name = Common Laburnum
| image = Laburnum anagyroides.jpg
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Fabales]]
| familia = [[Fabaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Faboideae]]
| tribus = [[Genisteae]]
| genus = ''[[Laburnum]]''
| species = '''''L. anagyroides'''''
| binomial = ''Laburnum anagyroides''
| binomial_authority = [[Friedrich Kasimir Medikus|Medik.]]
| bidate=[[1787]]
| synonyms =
''Cytisus laburnum'' L.
}}
'''''Laburnum anagyroides''''' ([[Friedrich Kasimir Medikus|Medik.]], [[1787]]) or '''Common Laburnum''' is a species of small trees or large shrubs up to 7 m tall in the genus [[Laburnum]] native to [[Central Europe|Central]] and [[Southern Europe]]. As well as another species in the genus, ''[[Laburnum alpinum|L. alpinum]]'', and especially the hybrid between them, ''[[Laburnum × watereri|L. × watereri]]'', it is used as a popular [[ornamental plant]]. All parts of the plant contain [[cytisine]] and are poisonous if consumed. ''L. anagyroides'' blooms in late spring with yellow flowers densely packed in pendulous [[raceme]]s 10-20 cm (4-8 in) long.

Small deciduous plant/tree, flowers pea like, golden, long dropping clusters, fruit a long flattened pod. Originated in Europe. All parts of this plant are poisonous. 

== Description ==
[[File:Laburnum anagyroides2.jpg|thumb|left|160px|Detail of the flowers]]
A shrub with smooth bark, dark green spreading branches and pendulous and pubescent twigs.<br />
The leaves (made of three leaflets) have a long pedunculus, are smooth on the upperside and hairy on the underside.<br />
The flowers are golden yellow and sweet scented, are grouped in pendulous racemes upto 25 cm long, and typically bloom in May.<br />
The seeds are legumes with large numbers of black seeds that contain [[cytisine]] (an [[alkaloid|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.<br />
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.

== Distribution and habitat ==
Grows and flowers damp and mild habitats, especially in calcareous soil (Southern Europe).

== Curiosities ==
The tree is also known as ''false ebony'' since the wood from very old individuals could be used in place of [[ebony]].<br />

The English poet [[Francis Thompson]] described the ''laburnum'' in one of his poems:
{{quote|Mark yonder, how the long laburnum drips<br />Its jocund spilth of fire, its honey of wild flame!|[[Francis Thompson]], ''[[Sister Songs]]'' (1895)}}
The writer [[John Ronald Reuel Tolkien|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.<ref>{{cite book|last=Tolkien|first= J. R. R.|authorlink=John Ronald Reuel Tolkien|editor= Christopher Tolkien|title= Morgoth's Ring|origyear=1993|publisher=HarperCollinsPublishers|location=Fulham|isbn=0-261-10300-8|pages=157|chapter=The later Quenta Silmarillion}}</ref>

== Notes ==
<references/>
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== See also ==
* [[Arboriculture]]
* [[Gardening]]
* [[Forestry]]
* [[Ornamental plant]]

== Other projects ==
{{InterWiki|commons|wikispecies}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.altavaltrebbia.net/maggiociondolo.htm Pictures and environmental and botanical notes (in Italian)]

{{Portal|Plants}}

{{commonscat|Laburnum anagyroides}}

[[Category:Ornamental plants]]
[[Category:Fabaceae]]
[[Category:Faboideae]]
[[Category:Poisonous plants]]

[[ca:Banús fals]]
[[da:Almindelig Guldregn]]
[[de:Gemeiner Goldregen]]
[[es:Laburnum anagyroides]]
[[fr:Cytise faux ébénier]]
[[gv:Billey frangagh]]
[[hsb:Złoty kitkowc]]
[[it:Laburnum anagyroides]]
[[ka:ოქროწვიმა]]
[[hu:Közönséges aranyeső]]
[[nl:Goudenregen]]
[[pms:Laburnum anagyroides]]
[[pl:Złotokap zwyczajny]]
[[fi:Etelänkultasade]]
[[sv:Sydgullregn]]
[[vec:Ègano]]
[[Category:2Fix]]