Subalpine Larch

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iSubalpine Larch

Subalpine Larch stand

Conservation status

Least concern (LR/lc)

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Pinophyta
Class:	Pinopsida
Order:	Pinales
Family:	Pinaceae
Genus:	Larix
Species:	L. lyallii

Binomial name

Larix lyallii
Parlatore

Subalpine Larch (Larix lyallii), or simply Alpine Larch, is a coniferous tree native to northwestern North America. It lives at very high altitudes (1800-2400 m) in the Rocky Mountains of Idaho, Montana, British Columbia, and Alberta. There is a disjunct population in the Cascade Range of Washington. Subalpine Larch is hardy and can survive very low temperatures in thin rocky soils, which is why the tree is often found near treeline. However, it can grow in a variety of soils and with or without shade, as long as the soil is moist but well-drained.

Fall foliage and cone

It is a small tree, growing from 10 to 25 m tall and shorter at higher elevations. It has a straight trunk with a sparse and somewhat conical crown. The branches are horizontal to the trunk, irregularly spaced and twisted. The twigs are finely hairy. The needles are 4-angled, 20-35 mm long and crowded in groups of 30-40 on short spurs. They are pale blue-green and deciduous, turning golden yellow in autumn. The seed cones, 2.5-4 cm long, are red-purple when young but become dark brown with age. They have thin scales and narrow bracts that extend over the scales. The bark is thin and turns from yellow-gray to dark red-brown with age. It also becomes deeply furrowed into small, scaly plates.

The bark contains tannin and the wood is strong, heavy, and durable.