Laburnum anagyroides
| Laburnum anagyroides | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 20' |
| Width: | 20' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Laburnum anagyroides (common name: 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. Succeeds in cold exposed situations and tolerates industrial pollution[1].
Plants can be successfully transplanted even when quite large[1].
The flowers are delicately scented[5].
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.
Habitat: Woods and scrub on limestone[6][1].
Medicinal: The seed contains the poisonous alkaloid 'cystisine'. This has been used in the treatment of whooping cough and asthma[7].
Usage: This plant is often used as a rootstock for other members of the pea and bean family[4].
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[7].
Wood - coarse grained, durable, dark coloured and very hard, it can be used as an ebony substitute[7][4][8]. It is much in demand among turners, and is used in making instruments and furniture especially where strength and smoothness are important[7][4][8][9].
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][9].
Also Known As: L. vulgare. Cytisus laburnum.
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 4.3 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Tutin, Tom et al.. Flora Europaea. Cambridge University Press, 1964.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.