What is Larch?
{{Taxobox | name = Larch | image = Mélèze en Automne.JPG | image_width = 240px | image_caption = ''Larix decidua'' in autumn | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | divisio = [[Pinophyta]] | classis = [[Pinophyta|Pinopsida]] | ordo = [[Pinales]] | familia = [[Pinaceae]] | genus = '''''Larix''''' | genus_authority = [[Philip Miller|Miller]] | subdivision_ranks = Species }} '''Larches''' are [[conifer]]s in the [[genus]] '''''Larix'''''. They grow on the northern hemisphere. Unlike other conifers, larches lose their leaves during [[autumn]] and [[winter]]. == Species == There are 10–14 species, for example the '''European Larch''', the '''North American Larch''' and the '''Japanese Larch'''. Scientists usually divide them into two main groups, '''New World''' species ([[North America]]) and '''Old World''' species ([[Europe]] and [[Asia]]). Inside this one, there are two more groups, '''Northern''' ([[Central Europe]], [[Siberia]], [[Japan]], north of [[China]]) and '''Southern''' (south of China, [[Himalaya]], [[Myanmar]]). === Eurasian === ==== Northern ==== ''Larix decidua'' or ''Larix europaea'' European Larch. ''Larix sibirica'' Siberian Larch. ''Larix gmelinii'' Dahurian Larch. ''Larix kaempferi'' or ''Larix leptolepis'' Japanese Larch. ''Larix principis-rupprechtii'' Prince Ruppretch's larch. ==== Southern ==== ''Larix potaminii'' Chinese Larch. ''Larix himalaica'' Langtang Larch. ''Larix mastersiana'' Masters' Larch. ''Larix speciosa'' Yunnan Larch. ''Larix griffithii'' or ''Larix griffithiana'' Himalayan Larch. === North American === ''Larix laricina'' Tamarack Larch or American Larch. ''Larix lyallii'' Subalpine Larch. ''Larix occidentalis'' Western Larch. There is also a [[hybrid]], the Dunkeld Larch, which is a mix of the European Larch and the Japanese Larch. == Uses == Larch wood is very valuable because it is resistant and it grows quickly. It is used for boats as well as houses. Larches are also used in [[herbal medicine]] and in [[bonsai]]. The tree appeared in many [[Monty Python]] sketches as a joke.