Hortus Botanicus Leiden, Netherlands

Common name: Goudenregen, Golden chain, Golden rain, Cytise faux ébénier, Pluie d'or

Family: Fabaceae subfam. Faboideae (Pea or bean family)

Distribution: M.- en Z.-Europa

Comments: The Laburnum was supposed to be planted in 1601, and therefore the oldest tree in the Leiden Botanic Garden; however, it probably dates from the first half of the 18th century.
This species is native to central and southern Europe. The young twigs of this tree are covered in grey hairs at the top, and the leaves are trifoliate. The upper side of the three leaflets is matt dark-green, the lower side is blue-green in colour. Laburnum is deciduous. It never grows very tall and often grows shrub-like, like our own old specimen. The fruits of Laburnum resemble flat green beans; the seeds, however, are highly poisonous.
The tree shows its high age. In 1972 its death was narrowly prevented by major tree surgery. It barely grows anymore, but still flowers every spring with hanging clusters of bright yellow flowers.