Biology:Larix lyallii

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Short description: Species of conifer

Larix lyallii
SubalpineLarch 7735tl.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Gymnospermae
Division: Pinophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Pinales
Family: Pinaceae
Genus: Larix
Species:
L. lyallii
Binomial name
Larix lyallii
Parl.
Larix lyallii range map-Natural Earth.png
Natural range of Larix lyallii

Larix lyallii, the subalpine larch, or simply alpine larch, is a deciduous, coniferous tree native to northwestern North America. It lives at high altitudes, from 1,500 to 2,900 meters (4,900 to 9,500 ft),[2] in the Rocky Mountains of Idaho, Montana, British Columbia, and Alberta. There is a disjunct population in the Cascade Range of Washington (state) .

Subalpine larch is hardy and can survive at low temperatures and on thin rocky soils, often being found near the tree line.[2] It can grow in a variety of soils as long as the soil is moist but well drained. However, it is relatively shade intolerant.[2]

David Lyall seems to have discovered the species between 1858 and 1861. John Bernhard Leiberg described it in 1900.[2]

Description

Fall foliage and cone

Larix lyallii is a small tree, growing from 10 to 25 meters (33 to 82 ft) tall and shorter at higher elevations. It has a straight trunk with a sparse and somewhat conical crown. The branches are horizontal, perpendicular to the trunk, irregularly spaced and twisted. The twigs are finely hairy. The needles are four-angled, 20 to 35 millimeters (34 to 1 12 in) long and crowded in groups of 30 to 40 on short spurs. They are pale blue-green and deciduous,[2] turning golden yellow in autumn.

The seed cones, 2.5 to 4 centimeters (1 to 1 12 in) long, are red-purple when young but become dark brown with age. They have thin scales and narrow bracts that extend over the scales. The pollen and seed cones become active in early summer.[2] The bark is about 2.5 cm thin[2] and turns from yellow-gray to dark red-brown with age. It also becomes deeply furrowed into small, scaly plates.

The tree is also one of the longest-lived tree species. There is record of a specimen in Kananaskis, Alberta, which has been understood to be about 2,000 years old, the oldest tree in Canada.[3][4]

Uses

The bark contains tannin and the wood is strong, heavy, and durable.

References

  1. Farjon, A. (2013). "Larix lyallii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T42314A2971798. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-1.RLTS.T42314A2971798.en. https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/42314/2971798. Retrieved 20 November 2021. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Arno, Stephen F.; Hammerly, Ramona P. (2020) (in en). Northwest Trees: Identifying & Understanding the Region's Native Trees (field guide ed.). Seattle: Mountaineers Books. pp. 76–83. ISBN 978-1-68051-329-5. OCLC 1141235469. https://books.google.com/books?id=qDD4DwAAQBAJ. 
  3. "OLDLIST". Rocky Mountain Tree Ring Research. http://www.rmtrr.org/oldlist.htm. 
  4. Worrall, John (1990). "Subalpine Larch: Oldest Trees in Canada?". The Forestry Chronicle 66 (5): 478–479. doi:10.5558/tfc66478-5. http://pubs.cif-ifc.org/doi/pdf/10.5558/tfc66478-5. 

External links

Wikidata ☰ Q1404234 entry