Larix decidua
Larch

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Inner bark - it can be eaten raw or can be dried, ground into a powder and used with cereal flours in making bread etc^[1]^[2]. A sweet-tasting manna is obtained from the trunk, it can be eaten raw but is mainly used medicinally^[1]^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]. Another report says that 'Briancon manna' is exuded from the leaves in the summer^[7]. It is white, sweet and almost odourless^[7].

Inner bark

Unknown use

Sap

Manna

Material uses

Large quantities of resin are obtained by tapping the trunk^[7]. Small holes are bored into the trunk, most resin being obtained from near the centre of the trunk^[8]. When properly made, the same borehole can be used for 20 - 30 years^[9]. The resin has a wide range of uses including wood preservatives, varnish, medicinal etc^[7]^[9]. It needs no preparation other than straining through a cloth to remove plant debris etc^[7]. The hole is made in the spring and the resin extracted in the autumn^[9]. Resin can be extracted from May to October^[7]. The yield is about 40 grams per tree^[9].

A fast-growing tree that establishes itself rapidly and is also said to improve the quality of the soil, the larch can be used as a pioneer species on cleared and exposed land in order to assist the establishment of other woodland trees^[7]. The bark contains tannin^[8]. This is much utilized in N. Europe^[10], though in Britain the oak is considered to be a better source^[7]. On a 10% moisture basis, the bark contains 11.6% tannin^[10].

Wood - durable, tough, elastic, easy to split, takes a good polish^[7]^[4]^[5]^[11]. Larch produces one of the toughest woods obtained from conifers and is also resistant to woodworm^[7]. It is widely used in construction, for railway sleepers, cabinet work etc^[7]^[4]^[5]^[11].

Unknown part

Resin

Tannin

Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The bark, stripped of its outer layer, is astringent, balsamic, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant and vulnerary^[7]^[12]. Its main application is as an expectorant in chronic bronchitis and has also been given internally in the treatment of haemorrhage and cystitis^[7]^[13]. A cold extract of the bark is used as a laxative^[14]. As an external application, it is useful in the treatment of chronic eczema and psoriasis^[7]. The powdered bark can be used on purulent and difficult wounds to promote their healing^[12]. The bark is harvested in the spring and should be dried rapidly^[7].

The turpentine obtained from the resin is antiseptic, balsamic, diuretic, haemostatic, rubefacient and vermifuge^[7]^[13]. It is a valuable remedy in the treatment of kidney, bladder and rheumatic affections, and also in diseases of the mucous membranes and the treatment of respiratory complaints^[7]. Other reports say that it is contraindicated for anyone with a kidney complaint^[3]^[13]. Externally, the turpentine is used in the form of liniment plasters and inhalers^[7]. It has also been suggested for combating poisoning by cyanide or opium^[7].

The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Lack of confidence', 'Anticipation of failure' and 'Despondency'^[15].

Unknown part

Anthelmintic

Antidote

Antiseptic

Astringent

Bach

Balsamic

Diuretic

Expectorant

Haemostatic

Laxative

Rubefacient

Stimulant

Vermifuge

Vulnerary

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Pioneer

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter in pots in a cold frame. One months cold stratification helps germination^[16]. It is best to give the seedlings light shade for the first year^[17]. 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^[16] 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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Larix decidua. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.

Cultivation

Prefers an open airy position in a light or gravelly well-drained soil^[18]^[19]. It tolerates acid and infertile soils, though it dislikes very peaty or very chalky soils^[18]. Another report says that it tolerates chalky soils^[19]. Succeeds on rocky hill or mountain sides and slopes^[19]. Tolerates salt-laden gales according to one report^[20] whilst another says that it dislikes exposed positions^[18]. The larch dislikes atmospheric pollution and so does not grow well in towns^[21]. A north or east aspect is more suitable than west or south^[18]. It dislikes growing in wet ground or frost pockets^[18]^[11], and grows best in areas with abundant rainfall^[18].

The larch is a very ornamental tree that is widely grown for forestry^[18]^[11]. It is very fast growing with new annual growth of 1.5 metres often found and trees can average 60cm or more for many years^[21]. The dormant trees are very cold hardy, but they are often excited into premature growth in Britain by mild spells during the winter, the plants are then subject to damage by late frosts and cold winds^[22]^[21]. The young shoots have a delicate mossy fragrance as the leaves unfold^[23]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. Open ground plants, 1 year x 1 year are the best for planting out, do not use container grown plants with spiralled roots^[19]. Plants transplant well, even when coming into growth in the spring^[19].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus^[11]^[19].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Larix decidua. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Larix decidua.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

References

? ^1.0^1.1^1.2 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
? ^2.0^2.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
? ^3.0^3.1^3.2^3.3 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
? ^4.0^4.1^4.2^4.3^4.4 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
? ^5.0^5.1^5.2^5.3^5.4 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
? ^6.0^6.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
? ^7.00^7.01^7.02^7.03^7.04^7.05^7.06^7.07^7.08^7.09^7.10^7.11^7.12^7.13^7.14^7.15^7.16^7.17^7.18^7.19^7.20^7.21 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
? ^8.0^8.1^8.2 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
? ^9.0^9.1^9.2^9.3^9.4 Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber ()
? ^10.0^10.1^10.2 Rottsieper. E.H.W. Vegetable Tannins The Forestal Land, Timber and Railways Co. Ltd. (1946-00-00)
? ^11.0^11.1^11.2^11.3^11.4^11.5 Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm ISBN 0-7470-2801-X (1987-00-00)
? ^12.0^12.1^12.2 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
? ^13.0^13.1^13.2^13.3 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
? ^14.0^14.1 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
? ^15.0^15.1 Chancellor. P. M. Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies C. W. Daniel Co. Ltd. ISBN 85207 002 0 (1985-00-00)
? ^16.0^16.1 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
? ^18.0^18.1^18.2^18.3^18.4^18.5^18.6^18.7 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
? ^19.0^19.1^19.2^19.3^19.4^19.5^19.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
? Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1984-00-00)
? ^21.0^21.1^21.2 Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO ISBN 0-11-710012-9 (1975-00-00)
? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)

"image:Larix decidua0.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

[PFAFimport-2-1] ? ^1.0^1.1^1.2 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)

[PFAFimport-177-2] ? ^2.0^2.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)

[PFAFimport-7-3] ? ^3.0^3.1^3.2^3.3 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)

[PFAFimport-46-4] ? ^4.0^4.1^4.2^4.3^4.4 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)

[PFAFimport-61-5] ? ^5.0^5.1^5.2^5.3^5.4 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)

[PFAFimport-105-6] ? ^6.0^6.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)

[PFAFimport-4-7] ? ^7.00^7.01^7.02^7.03^7.04^7.05^7.06^7.07^7.08^7.09^7.10^7.11^7.12^7.13^7.14^7.15^7.16^7.17^7.18^7.19^7.20^7.21 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)

[PFAFimport-171-8] ? ^8.0^8.1^8.2 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)

[PFAFimport-64-9] ? ^9.0^9.1^9.2^9.3^9.4 Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber ()

[PFAFimport-223-10] ? ^10.0^10.1^10.2 Rottsieper. E.H.W. Vegetable Tannins The Forestal Land, Timber and Railways Co. Ltd. (1946-00-00)

[PFAFimport-81-11] ? ^11.0^11.1^11.2^11.3^11.4^11.5 Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm ISBN 0-7470-2801-X (1987-00-00)

[PFAFimport-21-12] ? ^12.0^12.1^12.2 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)

[PFAFimport-238-13] ? ^13.0^13.1^13.2^13.3 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)

[PFAFimport-9-14] ? ^14.0^14.1 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)

[PFAFimport-209-15] ? ^15.0^15.1 Chancellor. P. M. Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies C. W. Daniel Co. Ltd. ISBN 85207 002 0 (1985-00-00)

[PFAFimport-113-16] ? ^16.0^16.1 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)

[PFAFimport-78-17] ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)

[PFAFimport-11-18] ? ^18.0^18.1^18.2^18.3^18.4^18.5^18.6^18.7 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)

[PFAFimport-200-19] ? ^19.0^19.1^19.2^19.3^19.4^19.5^19.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)

[PFAFimport-75-20] ? Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1984-00-00)

[PFAFimport-185-21] ? ^21.0^21.1^21.2 Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO ISBN 0-11-710012-9 (1975-00-00)

[PFAFimport-1-22] ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)

[PFAFimport-245-23] ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)

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[5]

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[8]

[9]

[10]

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Article is incomplete	Yes +
Article requires citations	No +
Article requires cleanup	Yes +
Belongs to family	Pinaceae +
Belongs to genus	Larix +
Functions as	Pioneer +
Has common name	Larch +
Has drought tolerance	Intolerant +
Has edible part	Inner bark + and Sap +
Has edible use	Unknown use + and Manna +
Has environmental tolerance	Maritime exposure + and High wind +
Has fertility type	Wind +
Has flowers of type	Monoecious +
Has growth rate	Vigorous +
Has hardiness zone	4 +
Has image	Larix decidua0.jpg +
Has lifecycle type	Perennial +
Has material part	Unknown part +
Has material use	Resin +, Tannin + and Wood +
Has mature height	45 +
Has mature width	15 +
Has medicinal part	Unknown part +
Has medicinal use	Anthelmintic +, Antidote +, Antiseptic +, Astringent +, Bach +, Balsamic +, Diuretic +, Expectorant +, Haemostatic +, Laxative +, Rubefacient +, Stimulant +, Vermifuge + and Vulnerary +
Has primary image	Larix decidua0.jpg +
Has search name	larix decidua + and x +
Has shade tolerance	No shade +
Has soil ph preference	Very acid +, Acid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil teloamyture preference	Loamy +
Has soil tesandyture preference	Sandy +
Has soil water retention preference	Well drained +
Has sun preference	Full sun +
Has taxonomy name	Larix decidua +
Has water requirements	moderate +
Inhabits ecosystem niche	Canopy +
Is deciduous or evergreen	Deciduous +
Is herbaceous or woody	Woody +
Is taxonomy type	Species +
Tolerates maritime exposure	Yes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soil	No +
Tolerates wind	Yes +
Uses mature size measurement unit	Meters +

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Inner bark

Sap

Material uses

Unknown part

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Unknown part

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Forage

Shelter

Propagation

Cultivation

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

Polycultures & Guilds

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

Subspecies

Full Data

References

About Practical Plants

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