TREES AND SHRUBS 



157 



Gymnosperm in our country, and is easily identified by 

 the fact of the leaves not being scattered all over tlic 

 stem, but arranged in little communities, each composed 

 of t\\'enty or more needle -like leaves' (fig. 99). The 

 bark contains tannin and a crystalline substance called 

 larixin wliich has a bitter astringent taste. Its use as a 

 stimulant, expectorant, and astringent is almost obsolete. 



Laburnum (CytisiLs Laburnum — Natural Order 



ummosse 



—This is not of British origin, but it has 



Fig. 100.— Laburntmi Leaves 



now become one of the most familiar of our g-ardcn 

 gi-owths. It may also be regarded as one of the most 

 poisonous among them. The yellow leguminous flower 

 seen on a shrub or small tree is sufficient to identify the 

 plant as Laburnum; to make sure, the leaves sliould be 



compared with fig. 100. 



Poisonous Properties.— All parts are ^if "iiu". a"d 



particularly the seeds, 

 attracts small children, 1 

 bo3^s of the taste of liquorice, whilst the seeds have a 

 certain resemblance to pea-seeds; conseciuently we can- 

 not be surprised at the large immbcr of cases of Labur- 



The Ijrio-ht colour of the flowers 



fnftfts of the roots reminds 



