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Laburnum – Wikipedia

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Description:
– Laburnum trees are deciduous
– Leaves are trifoliate, resembling a clover
– Leaflets are typically 2–3cm long in L. anagyroides and 4–5cm long in L. alpinum
– Yellow pea-flowers in pendulous leafless racemes 10–40cm long in spring
– All parts of the plant are poisonous, with cytisine as the main toxin

Species:
– Laburnum comprises Laburnum alpinum and Laburnum anagyroides
– Species with uncertain taxonomic status include Laburnum album, Laburnum arboreum, Laburnum biflorum, Laburnum fragrans, and Laburnum grandiflorum
– Laburnum is used as a substitute for ebony or rosewood due to its hard, dark chocolate brown heart-wood
– Laburnum trees are cultivated as ornamental trees in gardens and parks
– Laburnum trees do not perform well in hot climates and are common in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland

Cultivation:
– Laburnum species and hybrids are grown as ornamental trees
– Laburnum is often pruned to maintain a single trunk with smooth green bark
– Removing spent seedpods after flowering is advised as they are the most poisonous part
– Laburnum does best in climates with moderate winter and summer temperatures
– Laburnum watereri Vossii is a hybrid with the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit

References:
– Parnell and Curtis authored “Webbs An Irish Flora
– Kilbracken wrote “Easy way guide Trees”
– Forrester’s study “Have you Eaten Laburnum?” was published in The Lancet
– Various databases like ILDIS, USDA-ARS, and The Plant List have entries for Laburnum
– Books like “World Timbers: Europe and Africa” and “Sunset Western Garden Book” mention Laburnum

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