A medium-size to large deciduous coniferous tree reaching 25-45 m tall, with a trunk up to 1 m diameter. The crown is conic when young, becoming broad with age; the main branches are level to upswept, with the side branches often pendulous. The shoots are dimorphic, with growth divided into long shoots and bearing several buds, and short shoots only 1-2 mm long with only a single bud. The leaves are needle-like, light green, 2-4 cm long which turn bright yellow before they fall in the autumn, leaving the pale yellow-buff shoots bare until the next spring.

Astringent, balsamic, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant and vulnerary (bark); antiseptic, balsamic, diuretic, haemostatic, rubefacient and vermifuge (resin)

Larix decidua
Plants for a Future

In chronic bronchitis, haemorrhage, cystitis, in the treatment of chronic eczema and psoriasis (bark); in the treatment of kidney, bladder, rheumatic affections, in diseases of the mucous membranes and the treatment of respiratory complaints (resin)