Herb: Larch


Latin name: Larix potaninii


Family: Pinaceae (Pine Family)



Description of the plant:



Plant:
Deciduous
Tree

Height:
35 m
(115 feet)

Flowering:
April
to May

Habitat of Larch:

Grows sparingly in moist forests at low elevations, especially by streams. It forms pure stands at higher elevations, especially on moist soils, growing best above 2500m and up to the tree line.

Other uses of the herb:

The bark contains tannin. Wood - strong, heavy, durable. A valuable timber tree in China where it is used for general construction, pit props, railway sleepers and making furniture.

Propagation of Larch:

Seed - sow late winter in pots in a cold frame. One months cold stratification helps germination. It is best to give the seedlings light shade for the first year. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots. Although only a few centimetres tall, they can be planted out into their permanent positions in the summer providing you give them an effective weed-excluding mulch and preferably some winter protection for their first year. Otherwise grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in early summer of the following year. The seed remains viable for 3 years If you are growing larger quantities of plants, you can sow the seed in an outdoor seedbed in late winter. Grow on the seedlings in the seedbed for a couple of years until they are ready to go into their permanent positions then plant them out during the winter.

Cultivation of the herb:

Grows sparingly in moist forests at low elevations, especially by streams. It forms pure stands at higher elevations, especially on moist soils, growing best above 2500m and up to the tree line.

Medicinal use of Larch:

None known

Known hazards of Larix potaninii:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.