Legitminosce L^lpinus. 117 



with 5 to 7 narrow lanceolate acute hairy leaflets and normally 

 lilac and blue flowers. There are, however, variously coloured 

 varieties of this and L. affinis, including white, yellow, various 

 shades of violet and blue in different combinations. A native 

 of California. 



6. L. varius. - A Mediterranean species with variable but 

 usually dark blue flowers. 



Many more species might be included, but this would serve 

 no useful purpose, especially as there is great confusion in 

 the nomenclature. 



5. ADENOClRPUS. 



A small genus of dwarf branching shrubs closely allied to 

 Cytisus-, but distinguished from that and the neighbouring 

 genera by the linear compressed pod being clothed with 

 glandular prickles ; hence the name, from aSfy, a gland, and 

 /capTros, a fruit. All, except one or two tropical African species, 

 from the Mediterranean region. The species- are rarely seen 

 in gardens, and only hardy in the South-west of England. 



1. A. intermedius. Leaves small, trifoliolate. Flowers 

 yellow, racemose, very much resembling those of the smaller 

 flowered Brooms. Spring. 



6. LABURNUM. 



Technically distinguished from the neighbouring genera by 

 the stalked pod with fleshy or winged sutures and estrophiolate 

 seeds. Three species only are referred to this genus, from 

 the South of Europe and Asia Minor. The ancient Latin 

 name. 



1. L. vulgare (fig. 67), syn. Cytisus Laburnum. Common 

 Laburnum. This showy flowering tree is probably more 

 familiar than some of our native trees, and certainly nothing 

 can exceed the beauty of the pendulous racemes of bright 

 yellow flowers with which it is so profusely clothed during the 

 month of May. There are several varieties in cultivation, 

 which differ from the ordinary type in having larger flowers, 

 in the form of the foliage, etc. Alschingeri, autumnale, 

 crispum and Pdrksii, are amongst the best of the many 

 varieties in cultivation. 



The Purple Laburnum, L. Adami, is a hybrid between this 

 and Cytisus purpureus. The flowers are of a dull purplish 

 colour, in long pendulous racemes like the common one, and 



