Golden Larch
Pseudolarix amabilis
Pine familiy (Pinaceae)
Vulnerable
Green, gold or bare
The golden larch, or golden pine, resembles a larch but it actually belongs to another genus, Pseudolarix. The golden larch is the only species in this so-called monotypic genus and has characteristics of the larch, spruce and also the cedar (to which its cones are more similar). As with the larch, the golden larch drops its needles in winter and belongs to one of the few conifers that are deciduous rather than evergreen. In autumn the needles turn a golden yellow.
The golden larch originates from the lower reaches of the Yangtze River in eastern China. Tincture of golden larch is a traditional Chinese medicine for eczema.
Themes
Crown jewel in the Blijdenstein Pinetum and Von Gimborn Arboretum.
Part of the Dutch National Conifer Collection.
Used as a treatment for eczema in China. This golden 'larch' is one of the fifty fundamental herbs in Chinese herbalism.
Fragrant; contains resin.
Wood is used as timber to make e.g. furniture, boats, bridges.
Details
| Description: | Conifer, tall tree, on average taller than 12 m. |
|---|---|
| Distributions: | China |
| Habitat: | Temperate conifer forests, 100-1500 m in altitude. |
| Year cycle: | Perennial (polycarpic decidous) |
| Hardiness: | 5 - 14 f (hardy - cold winter) |
| Flowering period: | Maart - mei |
| Flower color: | Not applicable |
| Fruiting period: | Mei - september |
| Fruit color: | Green |
| At its best: | Mei - oktober |
Sources
D. Bensky, S. Clavey & E. Stöger, materia medica,http://www.conifers.org/pi/Pseudolarix.php