A quick google search for Laburnum Poison brought up several interesting
items including this extract from
http://medtox.org/info/pdq/web%20summer%202003.pdf

Poisoning in Children: Laburnum
Laburnum (also known as golden rain/
chain) is a smallish, decorative tree often
planted in parks and gardens. In late spring
it is covered in flowing bright yellow
flowers. Seeds develop in pea-like pods in
summer and often remain on the tree all
winter.
Case report1: At a barbeque 3 children
had their own party further down the
garden where they had found a tree with
'peas' on it. They were caught nibbling
these 'peas' by a parent who had heard
laburnum was very poisonous and were
rushed to hospital. A 3 year-old boy who
had eaten 4 seeds remained well. A 5 yearold
girl vomited twice on arrival and had
colicky abdominal pain and a 4 year-old
boy who said he had eaten 1 pod
experienced profuse vomiting, tachycardia
and twitching. The children all recovered
with supportive care.
Comment: All parts of the tree especially
the bark and seeds contain the toxin
cytisine which resembles nicotine.
Fortunately ingestion of laburnum usually
causes only gastrointestinal upset. Severe
intoxication is rare but may result in
neurological symptoms.
Effects may appear within 1 hour2 and
include 'burning' of the oropharynx,
nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and
diarrhoea. Headache, dizziness, confusion,
dilated pupils, clammy skin, tachycardia,
pyrexia, dyspnoea and drowsiness are
possible later. Recovery is usually
complete within 12-24 hours. Massive
amounts of cytisine could cause
hallucinations, convulsions, respiratory
failure, coma and even death3.
Children should be given activated
charcoal if they have eaten more than 5
seeds. Asymptomatic patients should be
observed for a minimum of 6 hours post
ingestion.
Laburnum seeds are usually ingested by 5-
10 year-olds rather than toddlers!FN
Refs: 1. NPIS(L) 95/105355
2. Fuller TC, McClintock E (1986). Poisonous Plants of
California. University of California Press: Berkeley,
California.
3. Cooper MR, Johnson AW (1998). Poisonous Plants and
Fungi in Britain, Ed. 2. The Stationery Office: London.
Key point: Systemic
toxicity may occur
following ingestion of
laburnum seeds

--
David Hill
Abacus nurseries
www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk