The Golden Chain Tree - Laburnum anagyroides (Golden Rain) is a small deciduous ornamental tree that reaches heights of 30-35 feet tall at maturity. The Golden Chain grows in a erect, slender form with slightly dropping limbs. It was native to Europe but has been long cultivated in the United States, common in landscapes along the East Coast especially in Massachusetts, but much more widespread in the West. Laburnum, commonly called Golden Chain, is a genus of two species of small trees in the subfamily Faboideae of the pea family Fabaceae.
Image Citation: T. Davis Sydnor, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
The leaves are alternate, palmately compound with either 3 ovate or broadly lanceolate leaflets. The flowers are bright yellow in color and are generally 1.5-2 cm long each growing in long, loose, pendant shaped clusters that can range from 10-40 cm long. The fruit is a slightly hairy plump brown legume that is constricted between the seed compartments.
Image Citation: T. Davis Sydnor, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
The wood from the Laburnum family has been used in woodworking, cabinet making, instrument production. The heartwood is often used as an alternative to ebony or rosewood because of the dark yellow-chocolate coloring. All parts of the Golden Chain are poisonous, symptoms can include sleepiness, vomiting, convulsive movements, coma, slight frothing of the mouth and unequally dilated pupils. In some cases, diarrhea can be very severe.
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