Himalayan Larch
Larix griffithii
Pine familiy (Pinaceae)
A gift from the King of Bhutan
This larch grows in a narrow altitudinal zone (3,000 to 4,000 meters) in the Himalayas from Nepal and Bhutan to Tibet and Yunnan Province in China. It differs from most other Larix species by its ovoid-conic, rather than rounded, cones. The species is rare and barely grown outside its range.
In 1983 the Blijdenstein Pinetum sent a letter requesting a specimen of this tree from the King of Bhutan. In 1988 the answer came: the king has donated to the Pinetum an example of this extremely rare tree, which could be collected from the Embassy of Bhutan in The Hague. For several years now the specimen in the Blijdenstein Pinetum has produced its characteristic cones.
Themes
Crown jewel in the Blijdenstein Pinetum.
Part of the Dutch National Conifer Collection.
Fragrant; contains resin.
Wood is used as timber.
Details
Description: | Conifer, up to 20+ m tall and 80 cm diameter. |
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Distributions: | Himalaya |
Habitat: | Temperate mountain vegetation. |
Year cycle: | Perennial (polycarpic decidous) |
Hardiness: | 5 - 14 f (hardy - cold winter) |
Flowering period: | April - mei |
Flower color: | Not applicable |
Fruiting period: | Mei - juni |
At its best: | Mei - oktober |