WILD
FOODIES' HOME PAGE
PLANT PROFILE LIST
NAME: Larch, American
SPECIES / FAMILY: Larix Laricina / Pinaceae
OTHER COMMON NAME(S): eastern larch, black larch, or red larch (3)
CONDITIONS:
sun
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PARTS: |
EDIBLE |
TASTE |
RAW/COOK |
SEASON |
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Shoots |
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Spring |
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Leaves |
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Buds |
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Flowers |
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Fruits |
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Pods |
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Seeds |
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Nuts |
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Roots |
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Bark |
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PORTION: small
COMMENT: Shoots, branches, needles. The young shoots are used as an emergency food. A tea is made from the branches, needles, and roots.(1) Not a lot of information on preparation.
CAUTION: Sawdust from the wood has been known to cause dermatitis in some people.(1)
NUTRITION/MEDICINAL: Alterative; Astringent; Disinfectant; Diuretic; Expectorant; Laxative; Poultice; Salve;
Tonic.(1)
LOOK-A-LIKES: Hemlock tree - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsuga
POISONOUS LOOK-A-LIKES:
OTHER USES: Wood is extremely root resistant. // Disinfectant; Fibre; Resin; Tannin; Wood. Resin is extracted by tapping the trunk. It is obtained from near the centre of the trunk, one properly made borehole can be used for 20 - 30 years. The resin has a wide range of uses including wood preservatives, medicinal etc. The hole is made in the spring and the resin extracted in the autumn. The roots have been used as a sewing material in canoes and to make durable bags. The bark contains tannin. Wood - very strong, heavy, hard, durable even in water. It weighs 39lb per cubic foot and is used for telegraph poles, fence posts etc. The roots are often curved by as much as 90° and are used by builders of small ships.(1)
SOURCE LINKS (may include nutritional and medicinal info, plus other uses):
- https://pfaf.org/User/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Larix+laricina
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larix_laricina