Woody > Larix > Larix lyallii > Larix lyallii
Larix lyallii
Subalpine Larch
Origin: Western North America.
Mike's
Opinion
"
Named after a Scottish naturalist and surgeon, Larix lyallii is unique as it is a deciduous conifer. Growing at 1,200 m and higer above sea level it is not easily accessible. For enthusiasts, the summer foliage is a bright blue-green which makes for peaceful hikes. Before dropping its leaves in late autumn it turns a vibrant golden colour. Due to its growing environment, the subalpine larch suitably anchors itself to the rocky fissures with a large tap root and extends large lateral roots.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Pinaceae |
| Genus |
| Larix |
| Species |
| lyallii |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (deciduous) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 4 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 3 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| (-34) - (-40) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| (-30) - (-40) |
| Height |
| 12-15 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
click to expand
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| The subalpine larch is a deciduous conifer reaching heights of 12-15 m. with blue-green leaves that turn golden in autumn. Sprouting from the projecting bumps of the branches, leaves cluster in groups of 30-40. |
| Cultivation |
| Grows in partial shade to full sunlight, and prefers well drained gravelly soil. |
| Shape |
| Subalpine larch is a gnarled looking tree often having an irregularly shaped crown that is wind-swept and wide-spread. |
| Growth |
| Slow |
| ID Characteristic |
| The fringed margins on the scales covering almost all of the buds have woven long white hairs during the winter months. In the autumn it turns a gorgeous, vibrant golden colour. |
| Pests |
| Larchs are prone to canker but pose no serious threat to the plant. |
| Habitat |
| Larix lyallii grows along the timberline on exposed rocky slopes between the Cascade and Rocky Mountains, from Alberta and British Columbia to Montana and Oregon. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Juvenile bark has cinnamon red scales. As it matures, scales form with hues of purples and reds and are more deeply grooved. The thickness of the bark ranges from 0.5-1.5 cm. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Buds are nearly black in colour and are covered in hoary tomentum. |
| Leaf Description |
| Leaves are 4 angled, blue-green and are clustered into 30-40 needles. Measuring 2.5-4 cm in length, the leaves have short points and are rigid. |
| Flower Description |
| Male flowers of the larch are short and oblong. Female flowers are ovoid-oblong. |
| Fruit Description |
| Larches are monoecious plants. The strobili of the larch are scattered along the branches. Female and male strobili shoots spur up between the leaf-bearing shoots. By the end of May, the buds bearing strobili swell. Purplish cones take the place of the female strobili and measure 4-5 cm in length by September. |
| Colour Description |
| The foliage is a blue-green in the summer months. During the autumn months the leaves turn golden in colour. |
| Texture Description |
| Medium. |
| Propagation |
| Before the cones open and dry they should be collected. Propagation is easily accomplished if seeds are planted in the autumn. The seeds should be soaked in a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution for at least 24 hours to soften the seed casing. Once seeds have germinated keep them in a cold fame at lower temperature with plenty of light. In late summer larches can also be propagated by cuttings. Semi-hardwood, leafy cuttings should be acquired from young trees. Apply a rooting hormone through a quick-dip at 2,000 ppm to encourage new root growth. |
References
Sargent, Charles Sprague. Manual of the Trees of North America, New York, New York: Dover Publications, Inc., 1965.Print
Hartmann, Hudson Thomas, Dale E. Kester, Fred T. Davies Jr, and Robert L. Geneve. Plant Propagation: Principles and Practices. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2002. Print.
top