Plant Details

Laburnum anagyroides

Laburnum, Golden chain tree

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, harvest period and uses of Laburnum anagyroides.

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Common names

36 names · 25 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Common Laburnum[1]
  • Golden Chain[1]
  • Golden chain tree[1]
+3 more namesShow fewer names
  • golden chain-tree[1]
  • golden rain tree[1]
  • Laburnum
Other languages (24)
Dutch
  • Gouden regen[1]
  • Goudenregen[1]
French
  • Cytise faux ébénier[1]
  • Cytise à grappes
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 毒豆(金鏈花)[1]
Croatian
  • Zanovijet[1]
  • Zlatna kiša[1]
Czech
  • štědřenec odvislý[1]
Danish
  • Almindelig guldregn[1]
Estonian
  • harilik kuldvihm[1]
Finnish
  • etelänkultasade[1]
German
  • Gemeiner Goldregen[1]
  • Gewöhnlicher Goldregen[1]
Hungarian
  • közönséges aranyeső[1]
Italian
  • Maggiociondolo[1]
Japanese
  • キバナフジ[1]
Lithuanian
  • Paprastasis pupmedis[1]
Norwegian
Polish
  • Złotokap zwyczajny[1]
Portuguese
  • Codesso-bastardo[1]
Russian
  • бобовник анагирусовидный[1]
  • Бобовник обыкновенный[1]
Slovak
  • štedrec ovisnutý[1]
Slovenian
  • navadni nagnoj[1]
Spanish
  • Lluvia de oro[1]
Swedish
  • sydgullregn[1]
Turkish
  • Sarı Salkım[1]
Ukrainian
  • Золотий дощ звичайний[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Laburnum anagyroides — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Common Laburnum — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • Gemeiner Goldregen — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • Cytise faux ébénier — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • Golden Chain Tree — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • Golden Chain — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • štědřenec odvislý — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • Almindelig guldregn — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • gullregn — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • Maggiociondolo — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • бобовник анагирусовидный — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • etelänkultasade — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • Złotokap zwyczajny — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • Paprastasis pupmedis — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • Codesso-bastardo — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • štedrec ovisnutý — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • közönséges aranyeső — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • sydgullregn — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • キバナフジ — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • Zlatna kiša — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • Zanovijet — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • harilik kuldvihm — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • 毒豆(金鏈花) — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • 毒豆 — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • Gouden regen — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • golden chain-tree — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • golden rain tree — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • navadni nagnoj — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • Золотий дощ звичайний — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • 金链花 — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • Lluvia de oro — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • Gewöhnlicher Goldregen — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • Goudenregen — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • Бобовник обыкновенный — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.
  • Sarı Salkım — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 51810; Laburnum anagyroides.

General information

Scientific name: Laburnum anagyroides
Accepted name (Kew): Laburnum anagyroides Medik. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Fabaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Laburnum (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Laburnum, Golden chain tree
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Tree
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 4.57–9.14 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Spread: 4.57–7.62 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [3]
Growth rate: Slow
Sources [3]
Foliage: Deciduous
Sources [3]
Growth habit: Erect, Open

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [3]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [3]
Soil moisture:
Well-drained, Moist, Occasionally Dry

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [3]
Soil:
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand
Sources [3]
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [3]

Uses

Edible parts:
-
Edibility rating:
(0)
Medicinal rating:
(0)
Functions:
Insecticide, Nitrogen fixer, Wood, Rootstock

Description

This plant is often used as a rootstock for other members of the legume family. The seeds contain the toxic alkaloid 'cytisine'. This has insecticidal properties similar to nicotine (Nicotiana spp.), but it cannot be recommended for use because it must be applied at a concentration that can then be absorbed over a large part of the body with potentially fatal consequences. The wood is coarse-grained, durable, dark in color, and very hard. It can be used as a replacement for ebony. It is highly sought after by wood turners and is used in the production of instruments and furniture, especially where strength and smoothness are important.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/09
Harvest ends: 31/10

Crown

Crown shape: Broad weeping
Crown density: Dense crown

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 489126; name ID 2350835; Laburnum Fabr.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 489125; name ID 2350832; Laburnum anagyroides Medik..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Laburnum anagyroides

    Taxonomic data from WCVP-Fabaceae, version 2026, v.7, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. This shares the Kew WCVP evidence base cited on this page.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 478726, ID 3RL8J: Laburnum anagyroides Medik. (accepted).

    Source checked on .

  3. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Laburnum anagyroides — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLightSoil moistureSoil textureUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .