European larch (Larix decidua, Gard. Dict. ed. 8: n.º 1 (1768))

Family: Pinaceae

Author: Mill.

Bibliography: Gard. Dict. ed. 8: n.º 1 (1768)

Year: 1768

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Larix

Vegetable: False

Observations: Alps, Sudeten Mts., Carpathians

Description

The European larch is a remarkable species, highly esteemed for its unique characteristics and its ornamental value. This coniferous tree, scientifically known as Larix decidua, is part of the Pinaceae family. It was first described in the 8th edition of the Gardener’s Dictionary in 1768 by Magnus Mill.

A native to the mountainous regions of Europe, the European larch is predominantly found in the Alps, the Sudeten Mountains, and the Carpathians. These trees are well-adapted to thrive in these high-altitude environments, demonstrating resilience to harsh climatic conditions.

The European larch is notable for its deciduous nature, which is uncharacteristic of most conifers. Each autumn, the tree undergoes a stunning transformation as its needles turn a brilliant golden-yellow before shedding completely. This seasonal change adds a striking visual appeal to the landscapes it inhabits.

An ecological keystone, the European larch supports biodiversity by providing habitat and food for various wildlife species. Its wood, recognized for its durability and resistance to decay, has historically been used in construction, especially for timber, fencing, and boat-building.

From a horticultural perspective, the European larch is prized for its aesthetic beauty and is often planted in parks and large gardens. Its pyramidal shape and delicate foliage contrast beautifully with evergreen conifers, making it an attractive component in mixed planting schemes.

Overall, the European larch stands out not only for its adaptability and distinctive seasonal appearance but also for its ecological and practical contributions to both natural and cultivated environments.

Common Names

Swe: bergtall, contortatall, europeisk lärk, sitkagran, vitgran, euroopanlehtikuusi, lärk, lärkträd
Eng: common larch, european larch, larch
Lav: eiropas lapegle
Nor: europeisk lerk
Nld: europese lork, europese larix
Lit: europinis maumedis
Deu: europäische lärche, gemeine lärche
Dan: europæisk lærk
Hun: európai vörösfenyo
Ita: larice comune, larice europeo
Spa: alerce, alerce común, alerce europeo
Fin: euroopanlehtikuusi
Nno: europalerk
Nob: europalerk
Por: lariço-europeu
Pol: modrzew europejski
Ces: modrín evropský, modrín opadavý
Fra: mélèze commun, mélèze d’europe
Slk: smrekovec opadavý
Rus: лиственница европейская (listvennica evropejskaya)
Zho: 欧洲落叶松 (ou zhou luo ye song)
Ron: larice, zada
Cym: llarwydd ewrop, llarwydden ewrop
En: European larch, Creosote bush, Common larch, Larch, White Larch
Ar: أرزية أوروبية
Hy: Խեժափիճի եվրոպական
Az: Avropa qara şamı
Eu: Europar laritz
Be: Лістоўніца еўрапейская, Лістоўніца эўрапейская
Bs: Evropski ariš
Bg: Европейска лиственица
Ca: Làrix europeu
Zh: Ou zhou luo ye song, 欧洲落叶松, 欧洲落叶松 (ou zhou luo ye song)
Hr: Europski ariš
Cs: Modřín opadavý, Modrín evropský, Modrín opadavý
Da: Europæisk Lærk
Nl: Europese lork, Europese larix
Eo: Eŭropa lariko
Et: Euroopa lehis
Fi: Euroopanlehtikuusi
Fr: Mélèze d’Europe, Mélèze commun, Pin de Briançon
De: Europäische Lärche, Gemeine Lärche, Berglärche, Lärchenbaum, Lärchtann
Hu: Vörösfenyő, Európai vörösfenyo
Is: Evrópulerki
Ga: Learóg Eorpach
It: Larice europeo, Larice comune
Kv: Европаись лисвень
Lv: Eiropas lapegle
Lt: Europinis maumedis
Mk: Европски ариш
No: Europalerk, Europeisk lerk
Nb: Europalerk
Nn: Europalerk
Fa: سیاه‌کاج اروپایی
Pl: Modrzew europejski
Pt: Lariço-europeu
Ro: Zada, Larice
Rm: Laresch
Ru: Лиственница европейская, Лиственница европейская (listvennica evropejskaya)
Sr: Европски ариш
Sk: Smrekovec opadavý
Es: Navadni macesen, Alerce, Alerce común, Alerce europeo, Alerce de Europa
Sv: Europeisk lärk, Lärkträd, Bergtall, Contortatall, Sitkagran, Vitgran, Euroopanlehtikuusi, Lärk
Zh-tw: 歐洲落葉松
Zh-hant: 歐洲落葉松
Tr: Karaçam, Katran ağaci, Avrupa melezi
Uk: Модрина європейська
Cy: Llarwydden Ewrop, Llarwydd Ewrop

Synonyms

• Larix larix ((L.) H.Karst.)
• Pinus laeta (Salisb.)
• Abies larix ((L.) J.St.-Hil.)
• Picea larix ((L.) Peterm.)
• Pinus larix (L.)
• Larix communis (Lindl.)
• Larix pyramidalis (Salisb.)
• Larix vulgaris (Fisch. ex Spach)
• Peuce larix ((L.) Rich.)

Distribution

• Austria (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Italy (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Føroyar (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Turkey (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Jan 18, 2021 by Mateo Montejo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2017 by Ely Elisa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2018 by Michel Schwartz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 21, 2019 by Caroline Tey (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 13, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2017 by Silvia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2017 by Marco Longoni (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2018 by Emanuele (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Oct 22, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 5, 2021 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2021 by Mateo Montejo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 22, 2021 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 16, 2019 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 29, 2021 by Tobias Eberle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 22, 2021 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 15, 2021 by Talilalitalala (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Nov 27, 2021 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 29, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 16, 2019 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 22, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 22, 2021 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 2, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2022 by Petr Harant (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2686212)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:262420-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Larix decidua Mill.)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Stem

Growth habit: Tree

Growth rate: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’]

Soil nutriments: 5