Herb: Siberian Larch


Latin name: Larix sibirica


Synonyms: Larix russica


Family: Pinaceae (Pine Family)



Description of the plant:



Plant:
Deciduous
Tree

Height:
30 m
(98 feet)

Flowering:
April
to May

Habitat of Siberian Larch:

Mountains and lowland taiga at elevations of 500 - 3500 metres in Xinjiang province of China.

Other uses of the herb:

The bark is a commercial source of tannin in N. Europe. On a 10% moisture basis, the bark contains 21.2% tannin. Wood - strong, heavy and durable. Used for construction, bridge building, vehicles, poles, and making furniture.

Propagation of Siberian 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:

Mountains and lowland taiga at elevations of 500 - 3500 metres in Xinjiang province of China.

Medicinal use of Siberian Larch:

None known

Known hazards of Larix sibirica:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.