The laburnum in Hoskote

The laburnum ( Cassia Fistula) in Hoskote
 

The Laburnum near the gate of Bella Vista.

As kids I absolutely loved Grandpa Micks Laburnum in the Baroda garden. What a tree that was right at the front gate of his garden and adjacent to the front balcony that we hung out in. I remember Mum telling me to read My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier. What a book and that's where the toxic seeds of this glorious laburnum makes for interesting reading. Mum loved Du Maurier and Georgette Heyer romances and I was named after a heroine in one of Georgette Heyer's books -- "The Quiet Gentleman." Mum would always say the difference in your name is it is not  spelled the usual British way --Marion, or Marian, but the French way -- Marianne.

The tree that's growing just within the gate and behind the beautiful chapdi walls. It seems to be growing all over the land and outside, self seeding itself. No matter how many times I try to dig out a young plant to take to fellow gardeners longing for the tree, it just dies on me. The tree is blooming all over the village and I see kids picking the flowers and not knowing the danger of its poison.

Toxicity: All parts of the Laburnum tree, especially the seeds, are poisonous.

Symptoms of Poisoning: Ingestion can lead to severe symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, sweating, and in extreme cases, respiratory distress.

Precaution: It is advisable to wear gloves when handling the seeds or pods and to ensure they are stored out of reach of children and animals.

  

I do not  want to touch or collect the seeds, but it seems thats the only way forward.