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Laburnum (ancient Latin name). Leguminosae. Including Podocytisus. Golden-chain. Ornamental trees or shrubs chiefly grown for their showy racemes of yellow flowers.
Deciduous: lvs. alternate, petioled, 3-foliolate, without stipules: fls. slender-pedicelled, in terminal simple racemes, mostly pendulous; calyx 2- lipped, with obtuse, short lips; corolla papilionaceous, with the petals all distinct; stamens 10, all connate; ovary stalked: fr. a linear pod with several seeds, compressed, tardily dehiscent; seed without appendage at base.—Three species in S. Eu. and W. Asia, often included under Cytisus. All parts of the plants are poisonous, especially the young frs. The hard, tough and closegrained wood is susceptible of a very fine polish, and is manufactured into various small articles.
The golden-chains are handsome small trees with dark green trifoliolate leaves falling late in autumn without change of color, and with drooping racemes of bright yellow flowers in late spring, followed by long narrow pods remaining on the tree a long time. They are adapted for planting on rocky slopes or in borders of shrubberies, where they should be allowed enough space to show to the best advantage their graceful, drooping racemes of golden flowers, which contrast with the dark green foliage. They are hardly ever attacked by insects or fungi.—Laburnum alpinum is the hardiest species and perfectly hardy as far north as Massachusetts; L. anagyroides is somewhat less hardy, while L. caramanicum is tender. They thrive in any kind of well- drained soil, including limestone, and grow as well in partly shaded positions as in sunny ones. Propagated by seeds, sown usually in spring, and also by layers; the varieties are mostly grafted or budded on seedlings of one of the species.
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{{For|the suburb of Melbourne|Laburnum, Victoria}}
{{For|the suburb of Melbourne|Laburnum, Victoria}}
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