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Laburnum alpinum

Common name:	Scotch Laburnum	Family:	Leguminosae
Author:	(Mill.)Bercht.& J.Presl.	Botanical references:	11, 200
Synonyms:	Cytisus alpinus (Mill.)
Known Hazards:	All parts of the plant, and especially the seed, are poisonous[1, 61].
Range:	C. and S. Europe. Naturalized in Northern Britain.
Habitat:	Stony hillsides[200] of mountain woodlands[7].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	0	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	1

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	Cytisus alpinus var. macrostachys[G] L. alpinum f. autumnale[G] L. alpinum var. autumnale[G] L. alpinum var. macrostachys[G]
Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	alpinum = alpine
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Fabales. Renamed to Fabaceae -- Pea family

Physical Characteristics

A decidious tree growing to 5m by 6m at a fast rate. It is hardy to zone 5. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. We rate it 0/5 for edibility and 1/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Cholagogue Miscellany Purgative.

The leaves are cholagogue and purgative[7].
The leaves have a similar effect to tobacco and have thus been used in treating nicotinism[7].
The plant is very poisonous and should not be used internally without expert supervision[7].

Other Uses

Wood.

Wood - hard. It is highly esteemed by turners[7] and is used for making musical instruments[245].

Cultivation details

A very tolerant and easily grown plant, it succeeds in almost any soil or situation[1] so long as it is not water-logged[11]. It grows well in heavy clay soils and in poor shallow limestone soils[245]. Succeeds in cold exposed situations and tolerates industrial pollution[200].
This species is closely related to L. anagyroides[11].
There are some named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[11]. The flowers have a delicious vanilla scent[245].
Plants can be successfully transplanted even when quite large[200].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200].
This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[200].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse or cold frame[200]. Germination is usually very quick and good[78]. Prick out indoor-sown seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer.
Another option is to pre-soak the stored seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in an outdoor seed bed in early spring. These plants an be allowed to grow on in the seedbed for two years before planting them out in the winter.
Cuttings of mature wood in late winter planted in the open ground[200].

Scent

Flowers: Fresh: The flowers have a delicious scent of vanilla,

Cultivars

'': There are some named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties. We have, therefore, not listed the cultivars in this database[K].

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[PHARM] Phytochemical Data (common names, uses, countries) from Dr Duke's Phytochemical Database.
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

Readers Comments

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Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
Blagdon Cross, Ashwater, Beaworthy, Devon, EX21 5DF, UK.
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We make no claims of magical effects or supernatural powers for any item in this catalog. In spite of legendary attributes or occult and craft tradition, such items are offered as curios only and beliefs concerning their magical effectiveness are related only for historical interest.