Laburnum anagyroides plant contain cytisine and are poisonous if consumed. The wood is hard and heavy, of a yellow/brown colour, ideal for making posts, for woodturning and as fuel. In the past (and today on historic re-enactments) it was used for making bows. The tree is also known as "false ebony" since the wood from very old specimens could be used in place of ebony. "Laburnum anagyroides" is cultivated as an ornamental tree. The most common ornamental plant in the genus is a hybrid between this species and "Laburnum alpinum" — Laburnum × watereri. The English poet Francis Thompson described the "laburnum"
Laburnum Avenue This intersection serves as the northern terminus of SR 197, which follows Laburnum Avenue westward. Laburnum Avenue passes along the northern edge of the Laburnum Park Historic District between Brook Road and SR 161 (Hermitage Avenue); the intersection with SR 161 features a statue of Confederate General A.P. Hill. The boulevard issues a ramp to westbound I-64 before it passes under I-64 and I-95 (Richmond Petersburg Turnpike) south of the complex interchange of those Interstates with I-195 south of Bryan Park. SR 197 splits south onto Saunders Avenue between the mainline Interstates and I-195, with which Laburnum Avenue has a