Discover the beauty and intrigue of Laburnum anagyroides. Often known as Golden Chain, Golden Rain Tree or common laburnum, this small deciduous plant grows up to 20 ft tall. Native to Central and Southern Europe, it flourishes in damp, mild habitats, particularly in calcareous soils found in Southern Europe. The robust plant boasts dark green spreading branches, with pendulous and pubescent twigs. The trifoliate leaves are glossy on the upper side and hairy underneath, offering an attractive texture to the plant. However, ruling in grandeur are the plant's golden yellow, sweet-scented flowers that eerily bloom each May. Packed into pendulous racemes, the flowers form long drooping, golden clusters, earning its popular nicknames. Beware though, these gorgeous flowers bear poisonous seeds containing the alkaloid cytisine, harmful to humans, goats, and horses! But this poisonous characteristic lends Laburnum anagyroides a magical aura in some circles, as certain wild species can feed on them without harm. The wood of the plant is as impressive, strong, heavy and hard, with a smooth texture and rich yellow/brown color, ideal for posts, woodturning and high-quality, enduring furniture that demands both strength and finesse.