LABURNUM (Laburnum anagyroides)

Laburnum is a small deciduous tree which grows up to 7m in height. It has a smooth bark and often branches at the base of the trunk.

The yellow flowers can be seen hanging down from the tree in May and June. The brown seed pods remain on the tree throughout the winter.

All parts of the tree are poisonous to humans and can cause death if eaten in excess. Symptoms of laburnum poisoning may include intense sleepiness, vomiting, convulsive movements, coma, slight frothing at the mouth and unequally dilated pupils. In some cases, diarrhoea is very severe and at times the convulsions are markedly tetanic.