Larix occidentalis Nutt.

Western larch (en), Mélèze occidental (fr)

Species

Gymnosperms > Pinales > Pinaceae > Larix

Characteristics

Trees to 50m; trunk to   diam., usually (when forest grown) branch-free over most of height; crown short, conic. Bark reddish brown, scaly, with deep furrows between flat, flaky, cinnamon-colored plates. Branches horizontal, occasionally drooping in lower crown of open-grown trees; twigs orange-brown, initially pubescent, becoming glabrous or very sparsely pubescent during first year. Buds dark brown, generally puberulent, scale margins erose. Leaves of short shoots 2--  × 0.65--0.80mm, 0.4--0.  thick, keeled abaxially, with shallow convex midrib adaxially, pale green; resin canals 20--50 µm from margins, each surrounded by 5--7 epithelial cells. Seed cones 2--3 × 1.3--1.6cm, on curved stalks 2.5--4.5 ´ 3.5--5mm; scales 45--55, margins entire, adaxial surface pubescent; bracts tipped by awn to 3mm, exceeding scales by ca. 4mm. Pollen 71--84µm diam. Seeds reddish brown, body 3mm, wing 6mm. 2 n =24.
More
Very large trees. They can be 70 m high and 200 cm across the trunk. The bark is reddish-brown and scaly. It becomes thick and deeply cracked into flat, flaky ridges with age. The trunk usually does not have branches for most of its length. The leaves are flattened above and have a keel below. They are triangular in cross section. They are 3-5 cm long and shiny pale green. There are 15-30 leaves per tuft. The seed cones are 3-5 cm long and reddish-brown. They are hairy on the lower side. There are about 30 scales. The tips curve towards the base of the cone when open. The bract tip extends beyond the scale. Seed are 5 mm long. The wing is 8 mm long.
Life form perennial
Growth form tree
Growth support free-standing
Foliage retention deciduous
Sexuality monoecy
Pollination anemogamy
Spread -
Mature width (meter) -
Mature height (meter) 45.0
Root system -
Rooting depth (meter) 0.4
Root diameter (meter) -
Flower color -
Blooming months
JanFebMar
AprMayJun
JulAugSep
OctNovDec
Fruit color -
Fruiting months -
Nitrogen fixer -
Photosynthetic pathway c3

Environment

In Canada it grows between 400-1500 m altitude. It grows on deep, well drained soils. It suits hardiness zones 3-9.
More
Mountain valleys and lower slopes, often in swampy areas, usually in mixed stands.
Light 7-8
Soil humidity 2-4
Soil texture 3-6
Soil acidity 4-7
Soil nutriment -
Hardiness (USDA) 3-7

Usage

The gum is used in the food industry as a substitute for gum arabic. It is also chewed. It is collected from the soft layer under the bark.
Uses forage gum material medicinal wood
Edible barks gums saps
Therapeutic use Tuberculosis Remedy (bark), Cold Remedy (bark), Cough Medicine (bark), Dermatological Aid (bark), Dietary Aid (bark), Gastrointestinal Aid (bark), Gynecological Aid (bark), Pediatric Aid (bark), Strengthener (bark), Pediatric Aid (leaf), Throat Aid (sap), Tuberculosis Remedy (tuber), Dermatological Aid (unspecified), Antirheumatic (External) (unspecified), Antirheumatic (Internal) (unspecified), Blood Medicine (unspecified), Cancer Treatment (unspecified), Burn Dressing (unspecified), Cough Medicine (unspecified), Orthopedic Aid (unspecified), Panacea (unspecified), Pediatric Aid (unspecified), Respiratory Aid (unspecified)
Human toxicity -
Animal toxicity -

Cultivation

Can be grown by seedlings. Seeds needs stratification.
Mode seedlings
Germination duration (days) 30 - 90
Germination temperacture (C°) 11 - 13
Germination luminosity -
Germination treatment stratification
Minimum temperature (C°) -
Optimum temperature (C°) -
Size -
Vigor -
Productivity -

Images

Leaf

Larix occidentalis leaf picture by Chelsea King (cc-by-sa)
Larix occidentalis leaf picture by Michael Finch (cc-by-sa)

Distribution

Larix occidentalis world distribution map, present in Canada and United States of America

Conservation status

Larix occidentalis threat status: Least Concern

Identifiers

LSID urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:262444-1
WFO ID wfo-0000443274
COL ID 6NYY5
BDTFX ID 101328
INPN ID 611000
Wikipedia (EN) Link
Wikipedia (FR) Link

Synonyms

Larix americana var. brevifolia Pinus nuttallii Larix occidentalis