Difference between revisions of "Larch"

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{{otheruses}}
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{{SPlantbox
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{{Taxobox
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|familia=Pinaceae
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| color = lightgreen
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|genus=Larix
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| name = Larch
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|common_name=Larch
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| image = Mélèze en Automne.JPG
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|habit=tree
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| image_width = 240px
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|Min ht metric=cm
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| image_caption = ''Larix decidua'' in autumn
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|features=deciduous
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| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
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|Temp Metric=°F
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| divisio = [[Pinophyta]]
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|image=Mélèze en Automne.JPG
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| classis = [[Pinophyta|Pinopsida]]
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|image_width=200
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| ordo = [[Pinales]]
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|image_caption=''Larix decidua'' in autumn
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| familia = [[Pinaceae]]
 
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| genus = '''''Larix'''''
 
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| genus_authority = [[Philip Miller|Miller]]
 
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| subdivision_ranks = Species
 
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| subdivision = About 12; see text
 
 
}}
 
}}
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[[Image:Siberian-larch.jpg|thumb|right|Siberian larch]]
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{{Inc|
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[[Image:Flowers of Japanese larch emerging.jpg|right|thumb|Male (above) and female (below right) cones of Japanese Larch emerging in spring]]
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Larix (ancient Latin name). ''Pinaceae''. Larch. Tamarack. Ornamental deciduous coniferous trees chiefly grown for their bright or light green foliage and regular habit.
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[[Image:Larix decidua0.jpg|right|thumb|European Larch foliage and cones]]
 
  
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'''Larches''' are [[conifer]]s in the genus ''Larix'', in the family [[Pinaceae]]. They are native to much of the cooler [[temperate]] northern hemisphere, on lowlands in the far north, and high on [[mountain]]s further south. Larches are among the dominant plants in the immense [[Taiga|boreal forest]]s of [[Russia]] and [[Canada]].
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Branches whorled, at least while young:leaves linear, in crowded clusters on short spurs except on the loading shoots where they are spirally arranged: flowers monoecious; staminate flowers small, globose to oblong; solitary, consisting of numerous short-stalked, spirally arranged anthers; pistillate fls. larger, consisting of several or numerous scales, with 2 naked ovules at the base, each scale borne in the axil of a much longerbract: cone with woody, 2-seeded scales, persistent on the axis; seeds with large, thin wings, ripening the first year.— About 10 or 12 species in the colder regions and the high mountains of the northern hemisphere.
  
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They are [[deciduous]] [[tree]]s, growing from 15-50 m tall. The shoots are dimorphic, with growth divided into long shoots typically 10-50 cm long and bearing several [[bud]]s, and short shoots only 1-2 mm long with only a single bud. The [[leaf|leaves]] are needle-like, 2-5 cm long, slender (under 1 mm wide). They are borne singly, spirally arranged on the long shoots, and in dense clusters of 20-50 needles on the short shoots. The needles turn yellow and fall in the late autumn, leaving the trees leafless through the winter.
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The larches are handsome trees of regular pyramidal habit, but in old age becoming sometimes irregular;they are particularly handsome in spring with their light green tender foliage and studded with their usually bright purple pistillate flowers. They are all hardy North except the Himalayan ''L. Criffithii'', and are often planted as park trees, chiefly for the light green foliage and the regular conical, or in some varieties pendulous, habit. The most beautiful is probably ''L. leptolepis'', with the foliage turning bright yellow in  fall, while the others assume only a pale yellow color. They are also very valuable forest trees, especially for the northern and mountainous regions; no forest tree goes farther north than the larch, reaching in North America 67° and in Siberia 72° of latitude. The wood is hard, heavy and very durable, and much used for construction, that of ''L. occidentalis'' being considered the best of all American conifers. From the European larch turpentine is obtained. The bark contains tannin, and an extract is used for tanning leather. The larch grows in almost any kind of soil, including clay and limestone, and prefers a somewhat moist, but well-drained soil and an open situation; the American larch grows well even in swamps. Unfortunately several insects and fungi prey on the larch, and sometimes do considerable damage, especially the leaf-eating larvae of some moths. Propagation is usually by seeds sown in spring, and the young seedlings shaded; varieties are grafted on seedlings, mostly on those of ''L. decidua'' (''L.europaea''), either outdoors by whip-or cleft-grafting  or in the greenhouse by veneer-grafting; they may also be increased by cuttings of nearly ripened wood under glass or by layers, but this method is rarely practised.
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{{SCH}}
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}}
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==Cultivation==
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{{edit-cult}}<!--- Type cultivation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
  
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Larch [[conifer cone|cones]] are erect, small, 1-9 cm long, green or purple, ripening brown 5-8 months after pollination; in about half the species the bract scales are long and visible, and in the others, short and hidden between the seed scales. Those native to northern regions have small cones (1-3 cm) with short bracts, with more southerly species tending to have longer cones (3-9 cm), often with exserted bracts, with the longest cones and bracts produced by the southernmost species, in the [[Himalaya]].
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===Propagation===
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{{edit-prop}}<!--- Type propagation info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
  
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==Species and classification==
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===Pests and diseases===
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There are 10-14 species; those marked '*' in the list below are not accepted as distinct species by all authorities. In the past, the cone bract length was often used to divide the larches into two sections (sect. ''Larix'' with short bracts, and sect. ''Multiserialis'' with long bracts), but genetic evidence (Gernandt & Liston 1999) does not support this division, pointing instead to a genetic divide between [[Old World]] and [[New World]] species, with the cone and bract size being merely adaptations to climatic conditions. More recent genetic studies have proposed three groups within the genus, with a primary division into North American and Eurasian species, and a secondary division of the Eurasian into northern short-bracted species and southern long-bracted species (Semerikov & Lascoux 1999; Wei and Wang 2003, 2004; Gros-Louis et al. 2005); there is some dispute over the position of ''Larix sibirica'', a short-bracted species which is placed in the short-bracted group by some of the studies and the long-bracted group by others.
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{{edit-pests}}<!--- Type pest/disease info below this line, then delete this entire line -->
  
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===Eurasian===
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==Species==
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Source: Wikipedia{{wp}}
 
====Northern, short-bracted====
 
====Northern, short-bracted====
 
* ''[[European Larch|Larix decidua]]'' (syn. ''L. europaea'') European Larch. Mountains of central [[Europe]].
 
* ''[[European Larch|Larix decidua]]'' (syn. ''L. europaea'') European Larch. Mountains of central [[Europe]].
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Most if not all of the species can be hybridised in cultivation. The best known [[hybrid]] is the Dunkeld Larch ''Larix × marschlinsii'' (syn. ''L. × eurolepis'', an illegitimate name), which arose more or less simultaneously in Switzerland and Scotland when ''L. decidua'' and ''L. kaempferi'' hybridised when planted together.
 
Most if not all of the species can be hybridised in cultivation. The best known [[hybrid]] is the Dunkeld Larch ''Larix × marschlinsii'' (syn. ''L. × eurolepis'', an illegitimate name), which arose more or less simultaneously in Switzerland and Scotland when ''L. decidua'' and ''L. kaempferi'' hybridised when planted together.
  
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Larch is used as a food plant by the [[larva]]e of a number of [[Lepidoptera]] species - see [[list of Lepidoptera which feed on Larches]].
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{{Inc|
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*''Larix chinensis'', Beisan. (syn. L. Potaninii).
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Larches are prone to the [[fungus|fungal]] [[canker]] disease ''Lachnellula willkommii'' (Larch Canker); this is particularly a problem on sites prone to late spring frosts, which cause minor injuries to the tree allowing entry to the fungal spores.
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*''L. Griffithii'', Hook. f. & Thoms. Pyramidal tree, to 60 ft., with spreading and pendulous branches: Leaves soft, obtuse: cones 2-3 in. long, oblong, with exserted and reflexed bracts. Himalayas.
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*''L. Kaempferi'' Carr. (syn. Pseudolarix Kaempferi).
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==Uses==
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*''L. Kaempferi'', Sarg. (syn. L. leptolepis).
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Larch is a [[wood]] valued in for its tough, [[waterproof]] and durable qualities; top quality knot-free timber is in great demand for building [[yacht]]s and other small [[boat]]s. The hybrid Dunkeld Larch is widely grown as a [[timber]] crop in northern Europe, valued for its fast growth and disease resistance.
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*''L. kurilensis'', Mayr (L. dahurica japonica, Regel). Allied to L. leptolepis, to 70 ft.: branches wide spreading; young branchlets deep bluish red, puberulous: Leaves rigid: bracts as long or somewhat shorter than scales. N. Japan.
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*''L. lyalli'', Parl. Allied to L. occidentalis, but lower: young branchlets tomentose: Leaves quandrangular: young cones deep purple, the scales with fringed margin. Brit. Col. to Wash.
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Larch has also been used in [[herbal medicine]]; see [[Bach flower remedies]] for details.
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*''L. Mastersidna'', Rehd. & Wilson. Allied to L. Griffithii. Tree, to 60 ft.: Leaves bright green, 3 - 1 1/3 in. long: cones about 1 1/2 in. long: bracts long exserted and reflexed, gradually narrowed into a mucro. W. China.
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*''L. olgensis'', Henry. Allied to L. kurilensis, but scales pubescent. Amurland.
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In central Europe larch is viewed as one of the best wood materials for the building of residences. Planted on borders with birch, both tree species were used in pagan "sagged" cremations. One "sąg" (pronounced ''song'') of wood was required for a [[cremation]] stack. Sąg is used today as a Polish forestry unit measuring approximately 3 × 1 × 1 m.  
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*''L. Potaninii'', Batal. (L. chinensis, Beiesn. L. thibetica, Franch.). Allied to L. occidentalis. Tree, to 80 ft.: branchlets glabrous: Leaves acute or obtusish, about 1 in. long: cones oblong-ovate, 1-2 in. long: bracts lanceolate, exceeding the nearly orbicular scales; scales spreading at maturity. W.China.
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*''L.thibetica'', Franch. (syn. L. Potaninii).
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In Siberia young larch leaves are harvested in spring, preserved by lactobacillus fermentation, and used for salads during winter.
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{{SCH}}
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}}
  
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Larches are often used in [[bonsai]] culture, where their knobby bark, small needles, fresh spring foliage and especially autumn colour are appreciated. [[European Larch]], [[Japanese Larch]] and [[Tamarack Larch]] are the species most commonly trained as bonsai.
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==Gallery==
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{{photo-sources}}<!-- remove this line if there are already 3 or more photos in the gallery  -->
  
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The tree was a [[running gag]] in [[Monty Python]] sketches, as in the episode "How to Recognise Different Types of Trees From Quite a Long Way Away".
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<gallery>
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Image:Siberian-larch.jpg|Siberian larch
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Image:Flowers of Japanese larch emerging.jpg|Male (above) and female (below right) cones of Japanese Larch emerging in spring
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Image:Larix decidua0.jpg|European Larch foliage and cones
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</gallery>
  
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==External links and references==
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==References==
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*Gymnosperm Database: [http://www.conifers.org/pi/la/index.htm ''Larix'']
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*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
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*Phillips, D. H., & Burdekin, D. A. (1992). ''Diseases of Forest and Ornamental Trees''. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-49493-8.
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<!--- xxxxx  *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381  -->
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*{{cite journal |quotes=no |author=Gernandt, D. S. & Liston, A. |year=1999 |title=Internal transcribed spacer region evolution in ''Larix'' and ''Pseudotsgua'' (Pinaceae) |journal=[[American Journal of Botany]] |volume=86 |pages=711–723 |url=http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/reprint/86/5/711.pdf}}
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<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->
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*Semerikov, V. L., & Lascoux, M. (1999). Genetic relationship among Eurasian and American ''Larix'' species based on allozymes. ''Heredity'' 83: 62–70.
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<!--- xxxxx  *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608  -->
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*{{cite journal |quotes=no |author=Wei, X.-X., & Wang, X.-Q. |year=2003 |title=Phylogenetic split of ''Larix'': evidence from paternally inherited cpDNA trnT-trnF region |journal=Plant Systematics and Evolution |volume=239 |pages=67–77 |url=http://www.springerlink.com/content/el841ejf4mp639fv/}}
 
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*{{cite journal |quotes=no |author=Wei, X.-X., & Wang, X.-Q. |year=2004 |title=Recolonization and radiation in ''Larix'' (Pinaceae): evidence from nuclear ribosomal DNA paralogues |journal=Molecular Ecology |volume=13 |pages=3115–3123 |url=http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-294X.2004.02299.x}}
 
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*Gros-Louis, M.-C., Bousquet, J., Pâques, L. E., & Isabel, N. (2005). Species-diagnostic markers in Larix spp. based on RAPDs and nuclear, cpDNA, and mtDNA gene sequences, and their phylogenetic implications. ''Tree Genetics & Genomes'' 1 (2): 50–63. [http://www.springerlink.com/content/gu218j762h2q3702/ Abstract.]
 
  
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{{Commonscat|Larix}}
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==External links==
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{{Pinaceae}}
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*{{wplink}}
  
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[[Category:Pinaceae]]
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__NOTOC__

Latest revision as of 21:33, 9 December 2009


Larix decidua in autumn


Plant Characteristics
Habit   tree
Cultivation
Features: ✓ deciduous
Scientific Names

Pinaceae >

Larix >



Read about Larch in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Larix (ancient Latin name). Pinaceae. Larch. Tamarack. Ornamental deciduous coniferous trees chiefly grown for their bright or light green foliage and regular habit.

Branches whorled, at least while young:leaves linear, in crowded clusters on short spurs except on the loading shoots where they are spirally arranged: flowers monoecious; staminate flowers small, globose to oblong; solitary, consisting of numerous short-stalked, spirally arranged anthers; pistillate fls. larger, consisting of several or numerous scales, with 2 naked ovules at the base, each scale borne in the axil of a much longerbract: cone with woody, 2-seeded scales, persistent on the axis; seeds with large, thin wings, ripening the first year.— About 10 or 12 species in the colder regions and the high mountains of the northern hemisphere.

The larches are handsome trees of regular pyramidal habit, but in old age becoming sometimes irregular;they are particularly handsome in spring with their light green tender foliage and studded with their usually bright purple pistillate flowers. They are all hardy North except the Himalayan L. Criffithii, and are often planted as park trees, chiefly for the light green foliage and the regular conical, or in some varieties pendulous, habit. The most beautiful is probably L. leptolepis, with the foliage turning bright yellow in fall, while the others assume only a pale yellow color. They are also very valuable forest trees, especially for the northern and mountainous regions; no forest tree goes farther north than the larch, reaching in North America 67° and in Siberia 72° of latitude. The wood is hard, heavy and very durable, and much used for construction, that of L. occidentalis being considered the best of all American conifers. From the European larch turpentine is obtained. The bark contains tannin, and an extract is used for tanning leather. The larch grows in almost any kind of soil, including clay and limestone, and prefers a somewhat moist, but well-drained soil and an open situation; the American larch grows well even in swamps. Unfortunately several insects and fungi prey on the larch, and sometimes do considerable damage, especially the leaf-eating larvae of some moths. Propagation is usually by seeds sown in spring, and the young seedlings shaded; varieties are grafted on seedlings, mostly on those of L. decidua (L.europaea), either outdoors by whip-or cleft-grafting or in the greenhouse by veneer-grafting; they may also be increased by cuttings of nearly ripened wood under glass or by layers, but this method is rarely practised. CH


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.


Cultivation

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Propagation

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Pests and diseases

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Species

Source: Wikipediawp

Northern, short-bracted

Southern, long-bracted

North American

Most if not all of the species can be hybridised in cultivation. The best known hybrid is the Dunkeld Larch Larix × marschlinsii (syn. L. × eurolepis, an illegitimate name), which arose more or less simultaneously in Switzerland and Scotland when L. decidua and L. kaempferi hybridised when planted together.


Read about Larch in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 
  • Larix chinensis, Beisan. (syn. L. Potaninii).
  • L. Griffithii, Hook. f. & Thoms. Pyramidal tree, to 60 ft., with spreading and pendulous branches: Leaves soft, obtuse: cones 2-3 in. long, oblong, with exserted and reflexed bracts. Himalayas.
  • L. Kaempferi Carr. (syn. Pseudolarix Kaempferi).
  • L. Kaempferi, Sarg. (syn. L. leptolepis).
  • L. kurilensis, Mayr (L. dahurica japonica, Regel). Allied to L. leptolepis, to 70 ft.: branches wide spreading; young branchlets deep bluish red, puberulous: Leaves rigid: bracts as long or somewhat shorter than scales. N. Japan.
  • L. lyalli, Parl. Allied to L. occidentalis, but lower: young branchlets tomentose: Leaves quandrangular: young cones deep purple, the scales with fringed margin. Brit. Col. to Wash.
  • L. Mastersidna, Rehd. & Wilson. Allied to L. Griffithii. Tree, to 60 ft.: Leaves bright green, 3 - 1 1/3 in. long: cones about 1 1/2 in. long: bracts long exserted and reflexed, gradually narrowed into a mucro. W. China.
  • L. olgensis, Henry. Allied to L. kurilensis, but scales pubescent. Amurland.
  • L. Potaninii, Batal. (L. chinensis, Beiesn. L. thibetica, Franch.). Allied to L. occidentalis. Tree, to 80 ft.: branchlets glabrous: Leaves acute or obtusish, about 1 in. long: cones oblong-ovate, 1-2 in. long: bracts lanceolate, exceeding the nearly orbicular scales; scales spreading at maturity. W.China.
  • L.thibetica, Franch. (syn. L. Potaninii).

CH


The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.


Gallery

If you have a photo of this plant, please upload it! Plus, there may be other photos available for you to add.

  • Siberian larch

  • Male (above) and female (below right) cones of Japanese Larch emerging in spring

  • European Larch foliage and cones

References

External links


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