Practical
Plants

Laburnum alpinum

Scotch Laburnum

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Laburnum genus in the family Leguminosae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
5 m
Spread
6 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

All parts of the plant, and especially the seed, are poisonous[1][5].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The leaves are cholagogue and purgative[6]. The leaves have a similar effect to tobacco and have thus been used in treating nicotinism[6]. The plant is very poisonous and should not be used internally without expert supervision[6].

Product or use
Cholagogue
Product or use
Miscellany
Product or use
Purgative

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Wood - hard. It is highly esteemed by turners[6] and is used for making musical instruments[4].

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Nitrogen fixer

Environment

Range
C. and S. Europe. Naturalized in Northern Britain.
Habitat
Stony hillsides[3] of mountain woodlands[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse or cold frame[3]. Germination is usually very quick and good[7]. 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[3].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A very tolerant and easily grown plant, it succeeds in almost any soil or situation[1] so long as it is not water-logged[2]. It grows well in heavy clay soils and in poor shallow limestone soils[4]. Succeeds in cold exposed situations and tolerates industrial pollution[3]. This species is closely related to L. anagyroides[2]. There are some named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[2]. The flowers have a delicious vanilla scent[4]. Plants can be successfully transplanted even when quite large[3]. 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[3]. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus[3].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  4. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  6. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  7. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩

Edit this page