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Larix occidentalis
  • Western Larch

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Larix genus in the family Pinaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Canopy
    Canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 4
    Zone 4
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Larix occidentalis has 0 edible uses listed
Larix occidentalis has 0 material uses listed
Larix occidentalis has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

A gum, or resin, is produced under the bark. It is a gum arabic substitute, very soluble in water, and is used as a thickening agent, stabilizer, emulsifier and for chewing[1][2]. It exudes from the trunk and branches but commercially it is usually obtained by extraction from wood chips as a by-product of the lumber industry[3][4].

The sap can be harvested in the spring and, when concentrated by boiling off much of the water, is made into a sweet syrup[1][5].

A source of an edible manna[1]. No further details are given, but this report probably refers to the gum mentioned above[K].

Unknown part

Gum
Sweetener

Sap

Manna
Unknown use

Material uses

A red powder can be made by heating the resin and then grinding it. This powder was mixed with fat and used as a cosmetic, or mixed with balsam poplar buds (Populus spp.) and used as a paint[2][5].

The bark contains tannin[6].

Wood - hard, strong, very heavy, very durable in the soil[7][2]. The tree produces long straight knotless trunks and is a very important commercial crop in its native range[2]. It is used for posts, cabinet making, construction, plywood etc[8][9][10]. A very good fuel[11].

Unknown part

Cosmetic
Fuel
Paint
Tannin
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The gum obtained from under the bark is used as a dressing in the treatment of cuts and bruises[5].

An infusion of the bark has been used in the treatment of coughs, colds and tuberculosis[5]. A decoction has been used as a wash on wounds and sores[5]. The sap has been chewed in the treatment of a sore throat[5].

The leaves and stems are antirheumatic, antiseptic, appetizer and blood purifier[5]. A decoction has been used both internally and externally in the treatment of cancer, and is said to help an emaciated patient get better and gain weight[5]. A decoction of the stem tips has been taken internally and also used as a soak on arthritic limbs and as a wash for cuts and sores[5].

Unknown part

Antirheumatic
Antiseptic
Blood purifier
Poultice
Salve

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Canopy

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter in pots in a cold frame. One months cold stratification helps germination[12]. It is best to give the seedlings light shade for the first year[13]. 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[12] 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 occidentalis. 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[14]. Plants are intolerant of badly drained soils, but they tolerate acid and infertile soils[14]. Succeeds on rocky hill or mountain sides and slopes[14]. A north or east aspect is more suitable than west or south[15].

This is a very cold-hardy species when fully dormant, but on the whole the trees are a disappointment in Britain. They are often excited into premature growth in this country by periods of mild weather in the winter and are then subject to damage by late frosts and cold winds. They also often suffer from canker and die-back[16]. Good trees, however, can be very good and fast growing, often putting on new annual growth of 1 metre when young[16]. Older trees develop a very thick bark, which protects them from forest fires[2]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[14]. Open ground plants, 1 year x 1 year are the best for planting out, do not use container grown plants with spiralled roots[14]. Plants transplant well, even when coming into growth in the spring[14].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[14].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Larix occidentalis. 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 occidentalis.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Larix occidentalis
Genus
Larix
Family
Pinaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5]
Medicinal uses
[5]
Material uses & Functions
[2][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]
Botanic
[17][11][14]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Canopy
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
deciduous
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
vigorous
Mature Size
45 x meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Wind
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
monoecious

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"image:Larix occidentalis 16822.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Larix occidentalis 16822.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Larix occidentalis 16822.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Larix occidentalis 16822.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Larix occidentalis 16822.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Larix occidentalis 16822.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Larix occidentalis 16822.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Larix occidentalis 16822.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Larix occidentalis 16822.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Larix occidentalis 16822.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Larix occidentalis 16822.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.6 Lauriault. J. Identification Guide to the Trees of Canada Fitzhenry and Whiteside, Ontario. ISBN 0889025649 (1989-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press ISBN 0-12-136450-x (1975-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.1 Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture. ()
  5. ? 5.005.015.025.035.045.055.065.075.085.095.105.11 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.1 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.1 Sargent. C. S. Manual of the Trees of N. America. Dover Publications Inc. New York. ISBN 0-486-20278-X (1965-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.111.2 Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press (1955-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.1 Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
  13. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.114.214.314.414.514.614.7 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  15. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  16. ? 16.016.1 Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO ISBN 0-11-710012-9 (1975-00-00)
  17. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-11

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Facts about "Larix occidentalis"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyPinaceae +
Belongs to genusLarix +
Has common nameWestern Larch +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has edible partUnknown part + and Sap +
Has edible useGum +, Manna +, Unknown use + and Sweetener +
Has environmental toleranceHigh wind +
Has fertility typeWind +
Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
Has growth rateVigorous +
Has hardiness zone4 +
Has imageLarix occidentalis 16822.JPG +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useCosmetic +, Fuel +, Paint +, Tannin + and Wood +
Has mature height45 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAntirheumatic +, Antiseptic +, Blood purifier +, Poultice + and Salve +
Has primary imageLarix occidentalis 16822.JPG +
Has search namelarix occidentalis + and x +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomy nameLarix occidentalis +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Inhabits ecosystem nicheCanopy +
Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +