Golden chain tree was introduced to North America in the early 1500s, favored for its radiant yellow
hanging racemes of flowers.
Identification: Trees are 12-30' (3.7-9.1 m) in height, with few
branches and a width of 9-12' (2.7-3.7 m).
Leaves are 1¼-3" (3.3-7.6 cm), alternate, tripinnate.
Flowers are plentiful bright yellow hanging racemes, 6-10" (15-25 cm) long. Individual flowers are
bilaterally symmetrical, about ¾" (1.9 cm) in size.
Flowers appear from May to June.
Fruits resemble hanging clusters of pea pods.
Edibility: Poisonous Seeds, which look somewhat similar to
peas, are poisonous, containing the alkoloid cytisine. Produces nervousness, stomach and intestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; irregular pulse, convulsions, coma; may be fatal.