A small leguminous tree (Cytisus Laburnum), native of the Alps. The plant is reputed to be poisonous, esp. the bark and seeds. It has handsome racemes of yellow blossoms.

flowering shrubs or trees having bright yellow flowers; all parts of the plant are poisonous

Laburnum is a genus of two species of small trees in the subfamily Faboideae of the pea family Fabaceae, Laburnum anagyroides (Common Laburnum) and L. alpinum (Alpine Laburnum). They are native to the mountains of southern Europe from France to the Balkan Peninsula. Some botanists include a third species, Laburnum caramanicum, but this native of southeast Europe and Asia Minor is usually treated in a distinct genus Podocytisus, more closely allied to the brooms.

A hard fine-grained wood considerably used towards the end of the 17th century for veneers, inlay work, knife handles, etc; the colours vary considerably and are sometimes almost dark green with brown markings, and sometimes dark brown.