Plant Profile: Laburnum anagyroides

The plant is a small deciduous tree or a sizable shrub that can reach heights of up to 30 feet. It features smooth bark, dark green branches that spread out, and twigs that are both drooping and covered in fine hairs. The leaves are typically trifoliate and oval-shaped, with elongated petioles; they are smooth on the upper surface and hairy underneath. This species flowers in May and June.

Laburnum anagyroides showcases its vibrant blooms in late spring, producing clusters of pea-like, golden yellow flowers that hang in dense racemes measuring between 4 to 10 inches in length. These fragrant flowers usually appear in May.

The plant produces legumes filled with numerous black seeds that contain cytisine, a highly toxic alkaloid dangerous to humans, goats, and horses, particularly when the seeds are unripe. In contrast, certain wild animals, such as hares and deer, can consume them without adverse effects, leading to the belief in the plant's magical properties in various cultures.

All parts of the plant are toxic due to the presence of cytisine and can be harmful if ingested. It has a relatively short lifespan and is not tolerant of heat. The leaves are alternately arranged, long-stalked, and consist of three leaflets; the flowers are golden and resemble peas, forming long, drooping clusters. The fruit is a long, flattened pod with sparse branching, and the plant tends to shed its lower branches over time.