Family: Pinaceae
larch, tamarack
Etymology: Larix: ancient name
Plants: pointed-top perennial, 40'-80' tall, deciduous tree; stems bark flakes off in small scales
Leaves: 3/8-1" long needles in bunches
Fruits: 1/2"-13/16" cones
Habitat: wet; bogs
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: pointed-top perennial, 40'-80' tall, deciduous tree; stems bark flakes off in small scales
Leaves: 3/8-1" long needles in bunches
Fruits: 1/2"-13/16" cones
Habitat: wet; bogs
Conservation Status: Native
Most characteristic of bogs, muskegs, and conifer swamps where it almost always associates with black spruce. Southern tamarack swamps are dominated by this species along with black ash, green ash, birch, red maple, and occasionally other hardwoods. It is also found in marshes, poor fens, sedge meadows, along streams, in dune swales, and shrub carr.
The vivid yellow fall color of the deciduous needles brightens up otherwise drab bogs. Tamarack is found throughout the state but is absent from most of the western portion of the Driftless Area except for some relic bogs (Hansen, 1933).
The vivid yellow fall color of the deciduous needles brightens up otherwise drab bogs. Tamarack is found throughout the state but is absent from most of the western portion of the Driftless Area except for some relic bogs (Hansen, 1933).
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 8, Wetland Indicator = FACW USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Gymnosperms: Photos, descriptions, information USGS - Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. Virginia Tech Dept. of Forestry, College of Natural Resources: detailed description and photographs Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"