Shrub/Tree ID Zone 10

Hello everyone,

I could use some help to ID this shrub.

Has anyone seen this shrub/tree - it grows in zone 10, 200 - 300 meter elevation and produces these purple beans that are edible by goats - locals do not eat them, and do not know the name of the tree - in the summertime it drops almost all of its leaves. It grows to a height of 120 to 300 cm.

Its a strong shrub and very drought tolerant.

Thanks

Kostas

Two more fotos

I am assuming this grows in Greece?

Could it be a carob ? http://www.crete-region.gr/greek/energy/interim%20report.htm

Yes Miles its in southern Greece - but its not a Carob tree.

Thank You

Kostas

What do the flowers look like?

I do not have a picture of that Miles.

They are cassia like yellow if I remember properly - at first I thought it was cassia, but I have not been able to ID it as such.

The shape looks like a cassia bicapsularis - but the pods do not look like it.

Thanks Kostas

I'm going to guess Laburnum Anagyroides - Common Goldenchain Tree.

Thank You Wayne,

Do you have this shrub close by to where you are ?

Do the seed pods match the one shown in the photo?

Its definitely close - I will have a friend email me a picture this time of the year and post it.

Thank You for taking the time to help.


Kostas

No, I don't have one. I've been looking for Legumes & that was one I was looking at in my Sunset gardening book. Yours may not be the "common" type. There are at least 3 types of this plant. Here is a page on Laburnum Watereri. They all pretty much look the same in pictures to me. - http://selectree.calpoly.edu/treedetail.lasso?rid=784

I think You got it Wayne - it looks like it is some variety of Laburnam.

I am in the early stages of assessment, but this plant maybe one of the few that can easily reproduce from seed, survive and grow without assistance in arid climates.

Being a legume the tree can be used to improve the soil to great depths and for reforestation.

Thank You for your help.

Kostas