A small to medium-sized, deciduous conifer, with a sparse, open, narrow, conical crown, to 50'-75' high. Leaves flat 3/4"-1" needles in clusters of 10-20 on dwarf twigs, light green turning yellow in fall. Trunk straight, to 14"-20" diameter, occasionally larger. Branches whorled, horizontal or slightly ascending. Self-pruning; by 25-30 years trunks generally clear of branches for half their length or more. Roots shallow (to 18") and spreading wider than the tree is high. Fruit a small, erect, egg-shaped cone, 1/2"-1/4" , reddish-brown (becoming brown with age), usually on curved stalks and persisting through winter. Seed with bodies 2mm-3mm, wings 4mm-6mm.

Alterative, diuretic, laxative and tonic (bark); astringent (leaves); expectorant (buds and bark); disinfectant and laxative (needles and inner bark).

Larix laricina
Plants for a Future

Betulin (root, twig)

As a poultice to treat cuts, infected wounds, frostbite, boils, hemorrhoids, in the treatment of jaundice, anaemia, rheumatism, colds and skin ailments (bark); for arthritis, cold and general aches and pains (outer bark and root); piles, diarrhoea etc (leaves); kidney and lung disorders, as a dressing for ulcers and burns (resin).