European larch, Common larch
Larix decidua

Family: Pinaceae

What it is like

A deciduous conifer tree. It grows 30 m tall and spreads 4-6 m wide. The bark is grey and scaly. The branches droop. The needles and light green and soft and are in rings. They turn yellow before falling in autumn. The female cones are 2.5-4 cm long. They are pink and erect.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It suits cool sites. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Austria, Britain, Europe, Hungary, Luxembourg, Norway, Russia, Scandinavia, Siberia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The inner bark is grated and used in broth of fish, meal and milk. A sugary exudate is eaten.

The resin is chewed mainly by children.

Edible parts

Sap, manna, bark, gum

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings. Cuttings only form roots with difficulty.

Its other names

Local names

Cerveni smrek, Fenyo, Lerk, Navadni macesen

Synonyms

Larix europea DC.; and several others