The genus
Larix - the Larches
A genus of c. 10 species. Leaves deciduous, solitary or spirally arranged on long shoots or in dense whorls on lateral spur shoots. Cones erect, short-stalked ; cone scales thin and persistent.
(R)
Larix decidua, Miller
European Larch
Widely distributed in the mountain regions of Central Europe to North Russia and Siberia, the European Larch is a most valuable timber tree growing to a height of 150 feet. Introduced into this country in the late sixteenth or early seventeenth century, it was the most important of our timber trees. As an ornamental or specimen tree the larch is attractive on account of its soft green foliage, its purple cones in spring and its rich yellow leaves in autumn.
(S)
Larix leptolepis, Murray (L. kaempferi Sargent)
Japanese Larch
A smaller tree than decidua, and native to Japan. Introduced by J. G. Veitch in 1861, it is a useful ornamental and timber tree. It seems to be immune from the Larch Canker disease (Trichoscyphella willkommii) which has attacked the European Larch in cultivation. The Japanese Larch is now being planted in forests in much greater numbers than the European species. It is distinguished from the latter by its somewhat glaucous foliage, redder twigs and cone scales reflexed at the apex.
Pseudolarix amabilis, Relider
Golden Larch
Native to Eastern China this deciduous tree attains a height of 120 feet. It makes a handsome ornamental tree in this country into which it was introduced in 1853. It differs from members of the Larix group in bearing its staminate cones in groups, in the disintegration of its ovulate cones when ripe and in its wider leaves.