The Dawes Arboretum

Common name: common laburnum

Family: Fabaceae (pea family)

Synonym: Cytisus laburnum, Laburnum vulgare

Distribution: Cent. and s. Europe

IUCN Red list: Least concern

Hardiness: USDA Zone 5

Life form: Deciduous tree

Comments: This shrub or tree typically grows 15-25' tall. It has showy late spring blooms of yellow flowers in dense, 4-8" long pendulous, wisteria-like clusters. Foliage is a dull green to gray green, hairy underneath, and produces no significant fall color. Pea-like fruits in two-inch-long seed pods ripen in fall. The black seeds contain cytisine, an alkaloid that is 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 the seeds without any problems. The wood is hard and heavy, of a yellow/brown color, ideal for making posts, for woodturning and as fuel; in the past (and today in historic reenactments) it was used for making bows. This tree is also known as false ebony since the wood from very old specimens could be used in place of ebony. Best grown in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. It performs poorly in heat and humidity, especially in regions south of USDA Zone 7.