Laburnum x watereri [Hybrid Laburnum]

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Rørslett, B. 2013 Laburnum x watereri (Wettst.)Dippel (Fabaceae). Hybrid Laburnum. Flowers photographed in visible and ultraviolet light. http://www.ultraviol...ybrid-laburnum/

 

Laburnum x watereri (Wettst.)Dippel (Laburnum anagyroides Medik. x alpinum (Mill.)Bercht. & J.Presl)

NO: Hybridgullregn

 

This hybrid is gradually replacing the two other Laburnum species, L. anagyroides and L. alpinum, as ornamental shrubs. While the hybrid also has toxic seeds, the pods are poorly developed and most do abort at an early stage of development. So the overall seed set is low. Because of this the hybrid shows much less propensity of establishing itself as a garden escape. However, one occasionally find the hybrid naturalised in rich lowland forests, but as the parents often are in the neighbourhood these plants may have occurred spontaneously from later crossings.

 

Flowers collected and photographed near Oslo, Norway, 18 June 2006 from a naturalised specimen.

 

Image reference: LABUXWAT_I0606185010_VIS.jpg

Visible light: Nikon D70, UV-Nikkor 105 mm f/4.5 lens, Baader UV/IR Cut filter, daylight.

 

Image reference: LABUXWAT_I0606185006_UV.jpg

Ultraviolet light: Nikon D70, UV-Nikkor 105 mm f/4.5 lens, Baader U2" (Venus) filter, SB-140 flash.

 

The UV signature of L. x watereri is very similar to that of L. alpinum (http://www.ultraviol...ttish-laburnum/). So from a pollinator's point of view, they are probably seen as the same source.

 

[Published 18 June 2013]