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Herbal Database Search ResultsBack to: Pathways Main Search Page For Metaphysical uses visit The Witchs Haven Larix decidua
Physical CharacteristicsA decidious tree growing to 45m by 15m at a fast rate. It is hardy to zone 4 and is frost tender. It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The scented flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and are pollinated by Wind. We rate it 3/5 for edibility and 3/5 for medicinal use. The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soil. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure. It cannot tolerate atmospheric pollution. Habitats and Possible LocationsWoodland, Canopy.Edible UsesInner bark Manna.
Inner bark - it can be eaten raw or can be dried, ground into a powder
and used with cereal flours in making bread etc[2, 177].
Medicinal UsesDisclaimerAnthelmintic Antidote Antiseptic Astringent Bach Balsamic Diuretic Expectorant Haemostatic Laxative Rubefacient Stimulant Vermifuge Vulnerary.
The bark, stripped of its outer layer, is astringent, balsamic,
diuretic, expectorant, stimulant and vulnerary[4, 21]. Its main application
is as an expectorant in chronic bronchitis and has also been given internally
in the treatment of haemorrhage and cystitis[4, 238]. A cold extract of the
bark is used as a laxative[9]. As an external application, it is useful in
the treatment of chronic eczema and psoriasis[4]. The powdered bark can be
used on purulent and difficult wounds to promote their healing[21]. The bark
is harvested in the spring and should be dried rapidly[4].
Other UsesPioneer Resin Tannin Wood.
Large quantities of resin are obtained by tapping the trunk[4]. Small
holes are bored into the trunk, most resin being obtained from near the
centre of the trunk[171]. When properly made, the same borehole can be used
for 20 - 30 years[64]. The resin has a wide range of uses including wood
preservatives, varnish, medicinal etc[4, 64]. It needs no preparation other
than straining through a cloth to remove plant debris etc[4]. The hole is
made in the spring and the resin extracted in the autumn[64]. Resin can be
extracted from May to October[4]. The yield is about 40 grams per tree[64].
Cultivation detailsPrefers an open airy position in a light or gravelly well-drained soil[11, 200]. It tolerates acid and infertile soils, though it dislikes very peaty or very chalky soils[11]. Another report says that it tolerates chalky soils[200]. Succeeds on rocky hill or mountain sides and slopes[200]. Tolerates salt-laden gales according to one report[75] whilst another says that it dislikes exposed positions[11]. The larch dislikes atmospheric pollution and so does not grow well in towns[185]. A north or east aspect is more suitable than west or south[11]. It dislikes growing in wet ground or frost pockets[11, 81], and grows best in areas with abundant rainfall[11].The larch is a very ornamental tree that is widely grown for forestry[11, 81]. It is very fast growing with new annual growth of 1.5 metres often found and trees can average 60cm or more for many years[185]. The dormant trees are very cold hardy, but they are often excited into premature growth in Britain by mild spells during the winter, the plants are then subject to damage by late frosts and cold winds[1, 185]. The young shoots have a delicate mossy fragrance as the leaves unfold[245]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. Open ground plants, 1 year x 1 year are the best for planting out, do not use container grown plants with spiralled roots[200]. Plants transplant well, even when coming into growth in the spring[200]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[81, 200]. PropagationSeed - sow late winter in pots in a cold frame. One months cold stratification helps germination[113]. It is best to give the seedlings light shade for the first year[78]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots. Although only a few centimetres tall, they can be planted out into their permanent positions in the summer providing you give them an effective weed-excluding mulch and preferably some winter protection for their first year. Otherwise grow them on in the cold frame for their first winter and plant them out in early summer of the following year. The seed remains viable for 3 years[113]If you are growing larger quantities of plants, you can sow the seed in an outdoor seedbed in late winter. Grow on the seedlings in the seedbed for a couple of years until they are ready to go into their permanent positions then plant them out during the winter. Scent
SuppliersFor more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look. PFAF Web PagesThis plant is mentioned in the following web pages
Web References
References for the family Pinaceae.
See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources. Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images. References[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951 [2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6 [4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 [7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5 [9] Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981 ISBN 0-600-37216-2 [11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981 [21] Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983 ISBN 0-553-23827-2 [46] Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959 [61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202 [64] Howes. F. N. Vegetable Gums and Resins. Faber [75] Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1984 [78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948 [81] Rushforth. K. Conifers. Christopher Helm 1987 ISBN 0-7470-2801-X [105] Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976 [113] Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987 ISBN 0942375009 [171] Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952 [177] Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984 ISBN 3874292169 [185] Mitchell. A. F. Conifers in the British Isles. HMSO 1975 ISBN 0-11-710012-9 [200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 [209] Chancellor. P. M. Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies C. W. Daniel Co. Ltd. 1985 ISBN 85207 002 0 [223] Rottsieper. E.H.W. Vegetable Tannins The Forestal Land, Timber and Railways Co. Ltd. 1946 [238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31 [245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 Readers CommentsMain Search Page Help Bibliography
Plant information taken from the
Plants For A Future -
Species Database.
Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
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We make no claims of magical effects or supernatural powers for any item in this catalog. In spite of legendary attributes or occult and craft tradition, such items are offered as curios only and beliefs concerning their magical effectiveness are related only for historical interest. |
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