Laburnum anagyroides - laburnum (forest honeycomb)

Genus of 2 species of deciduous trees, native to the forests and thickets of the mountains of the southern regions of central Europe, south-eastern Europe and western Asia. Laburnum anagyroides is a shrub or small deciduous tree, up to 4-5 meters tall, characterized by smooth greenish-grey bark, with expanded dark green branches and pendulous, pubescent twigs. It has long petiolate compound leaves, glabrous above and tomentose below. The flowers, golden yellow in colour, are very fragrant and appear grouped in very decorative pendulous racemes up to 25 cm long. Flowering typically occurs in May. The fruits are legumes containing brown seeds with cytisine (an alkaloid), extremely poisonous to humans and various animals, especially if immature.

Pedoclimatic needs

It adapts to all types of soil, preferring loose, deep, calcareous and well-drained ones. It likes exposure in full sun. It is a rustic plant that is not afraid of the cold and tolerates minimum temperatures reaching -10°/-15°C but can suffer in too hot and dry climates. Due to its magnificent flowering it is widely used in parks and gardens to be planted alone, in groups or in free hedges. It is also possible to train it as a climber for pergolas.

Botanical Information

Botanical Name: Laburnum anagyroides

Family: Fabaceae