laburnum

laburnum
/leuh berr"neuhm/, n.
any of several small trees belonging to the genus Laburnum, of the legume family, having elongated clusters of pendulous yellow flowers, esp. L. alpinum, the Scotch laburnum. Also called golden chain.
[1570-80; < NL, L]

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plant
 any member of the genus (Laburnum) of trees and shrubs having butterfly-like flowers, and belonging to the subfamily Faboideae of the pea family (Fabaceae). The leaves are composed of three leaflets, and the flowers are disposed in hanging clusters (see photograph—>). The pods are slender and compressed. Laburnum anagyroides, often called golden chain, is native to southern Europe and is cultivated as an ornamental. The leaves have elongate stalks, and the bright yellow flowers hang in pendulous racemes up to a foot in length.

      All parts of laburnums are poisonous, especially the seeds. The roots taste like licorice, which is a member of the same family. Occasionally, laburnum has proved fatal to cattle, though hares and rabbits are unharmed. The wood of laburnums has a striking greenish brown or reddish brown hue and takes a good polish. It is ideal for cabinetmaking and inlay and was at one time the most prized timber in Scotland.

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Universalium. 2010.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Laburnum — Laburnum …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Laburnum — anagyroides Laburnum alpinum Ref: ILDIS Version 6.05 Laburnum es un género de dos especies arboles pequeños de la subfamilia Faboideae de la familia Fabaceae, Laburnum anagyroides (Laburnum Común) y L. alpinum (Alpine Laburnum). Son plantas… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Laburnum — La*bur num, n. [L.] (Bot.) A small leguminous tree ({Cytisus Laburnum}), native of the Alps. The plant is reputed to be poisonous, esp. the bark and seeds. It has handsome racemes of yellow blossoms. [1913 Webster] Note: Scotch laburnum ({Cytisus …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Laburnum — Gris. (Kleebaum), Gattung der Leguminosen, kahle oder flaumig behaarte Bäume oder Sträucher mit gefingerten Blättern, drei Blättchen, Blüten in endständigen, meist hängenden Trauben und linealischen, flachen, ungefächerten, nicht oder spät… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • laburnum — (n.) 1570s, from L. laburnum (Pliny), of unknown origin; perhaps from Etruscan …   Etymology dictionary

  • laburnum — [lə bʉr′nəm] n. [ModL < L] any of a genus (Laburnum) of small, poisonous trees and shrubs of the pea family, with three part leaves and drooping racemes of yellow flowers …   English World dictionary

  • laburnum — ► NOUN ▪ a small hardwood tree with hanging clusters of yellow flowers followed by pods of poisonous seeds. ORIGIN Latin …   English terms dictionary

  • Laburnum — For the suburb of Melbourne, see Laburnum, Victoria. Indian laburnum is the golden shower tree, a distant relative of the genus Laburnum. Laburnum Common laburnum – flowers …   Wikipedia

  • Laburnum —   Laburnum …   Wikipedia Español

  • Laburnum — Laburnum …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Laburnum — Goldregen Gemeiner Goldregen (Laburnum anagyroides) Systematik Klasse: Dreifurchenpollen …   Deutsch Wikipedia

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