Laburnum anagyroides

Common Laburnum, Golden Chain, Golden Rain

Message of the Flower

Descent of the Light

The Mother’s Comment

It flows towards the earth in harmonious waves.

Colour

Bright yellow

Family

Fabaceae

Cultivars

Few specific cultivars; the species is widely recognized and cultivated.

Person who named the flower

Carl Linnaeus.

Flower Size

The racemes are typically 10-30 cm long, with individual flowers around 2 cm across.

Flower Texture

Smooth

Number of Petals

Five, arranged in the characteristic banner, wings, and keel formation of legumes.

Floral Symmetry

Bilaterally symmetrical.

Fragrance of Flower

Mildly fragrant

Leaf Texture

Smooth

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate, trifoliate (composed of three leaflets).

Leaf Color

Green

Structural Variation (Shrub or Tree)

Small deciduous tree.

Life Cycle

Perennial

Blooming Period

Late spring to early summer.

Climate

Temperate

Water Requirements

Moderate; prefers moist but well-drained soils.

Soil Type

Loamy, well-drained soils.

Temperature Ranges

Hardy in USDA zones 5-7.

Sun or Shade

Full sun to partial shade.

Susceptibility to Insects and Diseases

Relatively pest-free; may be susceptible to leaf spot and root rot.

Pollinators

Bees and other insects.

Habitat

Native to Southern Europe; widely cultivated in temperate regions worldwide.

Role in the Ecosystem

Ornamental use; provides nectar for bees and other pollinators.

Ornamental

Highly valued for landscaping, especially for its dramatic springtime flower displays.

Uses in Other Aspects of Life

Primarily ornamental.

Endangered Status

Not listed as endangered; widely cultivated.