Laburnum alpinum
| Laburnum alpinum | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 16' |
| Width: | 20' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Laburnum alpinum (common name: scotch laburnum)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse or cold frame[1]. Germination is usually very quick and good[2]. 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[1].
Cultivation: A very tolerant and easily grown plant, it succeeds in almost any soil or situation[3] so long as it is not water-logged[4]. It grows well in heavy clay soils and in poor shallow limestone soils[5]. Succeeds in cold exposed situations and tolerates industrial pollution[1].
This species is closely related to L. anagyroides[4].
There are some named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[4]. The flowers have a delicious vanilla scent[5].
Plants can be successfully transplanted even when quite large[1].
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[1].
This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[1].
Range: C. and S. Europe. Naturalized in Northern Britain.
Habitat: Stony hillsides[1] of mountain woodlands[6].
Medicinal: The leaves are cholagogue and purgative[6].
The leaves have a similar effect to tobacco and have thus been used in treating nicotinism[6].
The plant is very poisonous and should not be used internally without expert supervision[6].
Usage: Wood - hard. It is highly esteemed by turners[6] and is used for making musical instruments[5].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
Pollution: Tolerates environmental pollution.
Seed Ripens: Early Fall-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Known Hazards: All parts of the plant, and especially the seed, are poisonous[3][7].
Also Known As: Cytisus alpinus.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.