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Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch

10 photos.
Commonly called the "American larch or tamarack", this is a deciduous conifer (the needles are shed in the fall).
The Alaskan population is isolated, but indistinguishable from the main North American population. 

ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. 183412

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Larix laricina
1.  April 16, 2007.  This species begins the year
without needles. Note the needles from the
previous year beneath the tree.


Larix laricina
2.  June 14, 2007.  By late May in interior Alaska,
the tree has its full complement of needles.



Larix laricina
3.  May 27, 2007.  Close-up of needles, note
how the needles are grouped in clusters.



Larix laricina
4.  May 27, 2007.  A Male cone with
pollen.



Larix laricina
5.  June 28, 2010.  Section of a tree with
developing female cones.



Larix laricina
6.  June 28, 2010.  Close-up of developing
female cones with open female cones from
the previous year.


Larix laricina
7.  June 28, 2010.  Close-up flash photo of female
cones.



Larix laricina
8.  October 6, 2006.  The needles have
turned a golden yellow and have
begun to drop.


Larix laricina
9.  October 6, 2006.  Close-up of the yellow
needles.

Larix laricina
10.  September 29, 2007.
Previous year's cone.

 

 

 

Larix laricina
11. July 14, 2012.  Close-up of developing
female cones with open female cones from
the previous year.






Larix laricina
12. April 29, 2016.  Two rows of trees just
beginning to bloom.

Larix laricina
13.  April 29, 2016.  Several buds. Some will
develop into needle clusters, some into Female cones
with needle clusters and some into male cones.

Larix laricina
14. May 20, 2016. Three Female cones in bloom
with several smaller male cones.


Larix laricina
15. May 21, 2016.  Flash photo of three blooming
female cones with several male cones.


Larix laricina
16. May 21, 2016.  Same as photo 15 using
natural light.
Larix laricina
17.  Branch with needle clusters and male cones.

Photos 1-9 and 12-17 taken in Central
65°  34.4' N,  144° 47.9' W
Elev. 950 ft.

Photos 10 and 11 taken in Fairbanks.