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Larix lyallii - Parl.

Common Name Sub-Alpine Larch
Family Pinaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Sub-alpine to alpine zones, often on north-facing slopes where snow lies until late in the season[60].
Range Western N. America - Washington to British Columbia.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Larix lyallii Sub-Alpine Larch


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wsiegmund
Larix lyallii Sub-Alpine Larch
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Wsiegmund

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Larix lyallii is a deciduous Tree growing to 25 m (82ft 0in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Shoots
Edible Uses:

The shoot-tips are used as a flavouring in soups[177].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Tannin  Wood

The bark contains tannin[229]. Wood - strong, heavy, hard, coarse-grained and durable[82, 229].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers an open airy position in a light or gravelly well-drained soil[200]. Intolerant of badly drained soils, but tolerates acid and infertile soils[200]. Succeeds on rocky hill or mountain sides and slopes[200]. A north or east aspect is more suitable than west or south[1]. This species is very cold-hardy when fully dormant, but the trees can be excited into premature growth in Britain by mild spells during the winter and they are then very subject to damage by late frosts and cold winds[1]. Plants are not very successful in Britain, they have been tried on many occasions but have failed to make a satisfactory tree[11, 185]. A specimen at the Hillier Arboretum was 4.5 metres tall in 1970 and suffered frost damage each year[185]. This species is impossible to grow in lowland Britain, though it should succeed above a height of 300 metres in the eastern Scottish Highlands[200]. Growth is normally slow in Britain with average height increases of less than 30cm per year[185]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200]. Closely related to L. occidentalis[200]. Open ground plants, 1 year x 1 year are the best for planting out, do not use container grown plants with spiralled roots[200]. Plants transplant well, even when coming into growth in the spring[200]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow late winter in pots in a cold frame. One months cold stratification helps germination[113]. It is best to give the seedlings light shade for the first year[78]. 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[113] 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Alberta (southwest), British Columbia (south)), United States (Idaho (north), Montana (west), Washington)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Larix deciduaLarch, European Larch, Common LarchTree45.0 3-6 FLMNM233
Larix gmeliniiDahurian Larch, Kurile larchTree30.0 0-0 SLMNM003
Larix kaempferiJapanese LarchTree45.0 4-6 FLMHSNM003
Larix laricinaTamarack, Hackmatack, American LarchTree18.0 2-5 MLMNMWe223
Larix occidentalisWestern LarchTree45.0 2-6 FLMNM223
Larix potaniniiLarchTree35.0 4-8 MLMNM003
Larix sibiricaSiberian LarchTree30.0 -  LMHSNM003
Larix x marschlinsiiDunkeld Hybrid LarchTree50.0 2-6 FLMNM003
Pseudolarix amabilisGolden Larch, Chinese golden-larchTree40.0 5-7 SLMHSNM022

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Parl.

Botanical References

1160200

Links / References

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