Siberian larch (Larix sibirica, Fl. Altaic. 4: 204 (1833))

Family: Pinaceae

Author: Ledeb.

Bibliography: Fl. Altaic. 4: 204 (1833)

Year: 1833

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Larix

Vegetable: False

Observations: NE. Europe to Mongolia

Description

The Siberian larch, scientifically known as Larix sibirica, is a prominent species belonging to the Pinaceae family. Detailed in scientific exploration as early as 1833 by the botanist Friedrich August von Ledebour in “Flora Altaica,” the Siberian larch has since been studied extensively for its adaptability and resilience in various environments.

This deciduous conifer is native to a vast region extending from northeastern Europe all the way to Mongolia, with a natural habitat that spans across varying climatic zones. The Siberian larch is particularly noted for its ability to thrive in cold, harsh environments, characterized by severe winters and shorter growing seasons. This adaptability is facilitated by its unique growth structure and physiology, which enables it to withstand, and even flourish in, subarctic and boreal forests.

Growing to a remarkable height, the Siberian larch can reach up to 20-45 meters tall, with a trunk diameter that can extend up to 1 meter. The tree features a straight and slender trunk, crowned with a loose, conical canopy composed of soft, needle-like leaves. These needles are bright green during the growing season and turn a striking golden yellow in the autumn before they fall, a rare trait among conifers that shed their needles annually.

The wood of the Siberian larch is highly valued for its durability, strength, and resistance to decay. It is a popular material in the construction industry, often used for building, furniture making, and even in shipbuilding due to its water-resistant properties. The bark and resin of the tree also hold important uses in traditional medicine and various industrial applications.

Ecologically, the Siberian larch plays a critical role in its native habitats. It provides shelter and food for a wide array of wildlife, including birds, small mammals, and insects. Moreover, its extensive root system helps to stabilize the soil, thereby mitigating erosion and contributing to the overall health of the forest ecosystem.

In landscaping, the Siberian larch is favored for its aesthetic appeal and the seasonal color change of its foliage. It is commonly planted in parks and large gardens where it can be appreciated as both a solitary specimen and part of a greater arboreal ensemble.

The Siberian larch stands as a testament to nature’s ingenuity, thriving in some of the most challenging environments on Earth while offering significant ecological and economic benefits. Its study continues to yield insights into the resilience and versatility of forest species, making it an enduring subject of interest in botanical and environmental sciences.

Common Names

Ita: larice siberiano
Eng: siberian larch
Nld: siberische lork
Deu: sibirische lärche
Swe: sibirisk cembratall, sibirsk lärk, tall, thuja, sibirisk lärk, siperianlehtikuusi, sibirlärk
Dan: sibirisk lærk
Hun: szibériai vörösfenyo
Fra: mélèze de sibérie
Est: siberi lehis
Nno: sibirlerk
Nob: sibirlerk
Fin: siperianlehtikuusi
Rus: лиственница сибирская (listvennica sibirskaya), listvennista sibirskaya
Zho: 西伯利亚落叶松 (xi bo li ya luo ye song), 西伯利亚落叶松 (xian bei luo ye song), xinjian luoye song
Sme: sibirjjálastaguossa
En: Siberian larch
Ar: أرزية سيبيرية
Hy: Խեժափիճի սիբիրական
Az: Sibir qara şamı
Be: Лістоўніца сібірская
Bg: Сибирска лиственица
Zh: Xian bei luo ye song, 新疆落叶松, 西伯利亚落叶松 (xi bo li ya luo ye song), 西伯利亚落叶松 (xian bei luo ye song), Xinjian Luoye Song
Cs: Modřín sibiřský
Da: Sibirisk lærk
Nl: Siberische lork
Eo: Siberia lariko
Et: Siberi lehis
Fi: Siperianlehtikuusi, Arkangelinlehtikuusi
Fr: Mélèze de Sibérie
Ka: Ციმბირული ლარიქსი
De: Sibirische Lärche
Hu: Szibériai vörösfenyő, Szibériai vörösfenyo
Is: Síberíulerki
It: Larice siberiano
Kk: Сібір балқарағайы
Kv: Сибирись лисвень
Lt: Sibirinis maumedis
Se: Sibirjjálastaguossa
No: Sibirlerk
Nb: Sibirlerk
Nn: Sibirlerk
Fa: سیاه‌کاج سیبری
Pl: Modrzew syberyjski
Ru: Лиственница сибирская, Лиственница сибирская (listvennica sibirskaya), Listvennista Sibirskaya
Sv: Sibirisk lärk, Sibirisk cembratall, Sibirsk lärk, Tall, Thuja, Siperianlehtikuusi, Sibirlärk
Zh-hant: 新疆落葉松
Uk: Модрина сибірська

Synonyms

• Larix archangelica (C.Lawson)
• Larix sibirica f. pendula (Schelle)
• Pinus larix var. intermedia (Antoine)
• Larix europaea var. sibirica ((Ledeb.) Loudon)
• Larix russica ((Endl.) Sabine ex Trautv.)
• Larix sibirica var. hybrida (Y.N.Lee)
• Larix altaica (Fisch. ex Gordon & Glend.)
• Larix sukaczewii (Dylis)
• Larix europaea var. russica ((Endl.) Beissn.)
• Larix decidua var. russica ((Endl.) Henkel & W.Hochst.)
• Larix sibirica var. tittelbachii (R.I.Schröd. ex Beissn.)
• Larix sibirica var. typica (Szafer)
• Larix decidua subsp. sibirica ((Ledeb.) Domin)
• Pinus larix var. russica (Endl.)
• Pinus archangelica (C.Lawson ex Trautv.)
• Larix decidua var. sibirica ((Ledeb.) Regel)
• Larix pseudolarix (Lodd. ex Gordon & Glend.)
• Pinus pseudolarix (Steud.)
• Larix sibirica var. viridis (Y.N.Lee)

Distribution

• Altay (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Tuva (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Iceland (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)

Additional Images

Bark

Taken May 28, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2021 by Lisa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 2, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

© 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.

Habit

Taken Jul 5, 2021 by Lisa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 28, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2022 by Lutz Meyer (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 28, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2686276)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:262455-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Larix sibirica Ledeb.)

Specifications

Growth