hackmatack

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Alaska larch
• American larch
• eastern larch
• hackmatack
• tamarack
• red larch
• Weeping Hemlock
• black larch
• tamarak
• Tamarack Larch

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Larix laricina var. alaskensis
• Larix dahurica var. americana
• Abies microcarpa
• Larix laricina f. parvistrobus
• Larix americana
• Larix laricina var. parvistrobus
• Pinus microcarpa
• Larix americana var. rubra
• Larix americana var. prolifera
• Larix alaskensis
• Picea microcarpa
• Larix intermedia
• Larix microcarpa
• Larix americana var. incurva
• Larix laricina var. americana
• Larix laricina f. depressa
• Larix laricina var. lutea
• Pinus larix var. rubra
• Pinus larix var. nigra
• Pinus larix var. alba
• Pinus laricina
• Pinus intermedia
• Larix laricina subsp. alaskensis
• Pinus larix var. americana
• Larix laricina f. lutea

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Larix laricina, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Pinidae, falling within the order Pinales and family Pinaceae. Ultimately, it is placed within the genus Larix.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several cold-climate regions of the northern hemisphere. In Northern Europe, its presence can be found throughout Sweden. Its range extends into Eastern Europe, specifically encompassing the Baltic States. Moving across the ocean to Subarctic America, the species is located in Alaska. Finally, its habitat includes the vast northern territories of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Larix laricina is characterized by its status as a perennial species, ensuring its long-term persistence within its ecological niche through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its vital buds at a significant height above the ground, typically on woody branches, which allows it to withstand seasonal environmental shifts. This phanerophyte life form is further categorized under the broader classification of phanerophyte, reflecting its structural strategy of protecting its regenerative tissues high above the soil surface to endure varying climatic conditions over its extended lifespan.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Larix laricina is characterized by its growth form as a large, woody tree that typically reaches an average height of 24 m. As a self-supporting organism, it does not exhibit climbing behavior, such as acting as a liana or vine, and functions as an independent species rather than a parasite. It is a terrestrial plant, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, and possesses a robust, woody structure typical of its tree classification.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

24 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Larix laricina is characterized by a specialized metabolic framework adapted to temperate and boreal environments, most notably through its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway. As a C3 plant, it fixes atmospheric carbon dioxide directly via the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle, a process that is highly efficient in cooler, moist climates but requires careful regulation of stomatal conductance to manage transpiration rates. The plant exhibits unique deciduous phenology among conifers, shedding its needles annually to mitigate physiological stress from extreme winter temperatures and to prevent desiccation when liquid water is unavailable. Its physiological resilience is further supported by robust nutrient cycling and an efficient vascular system capable of handling seasonal fluctuations in hydraulic conductivity. This metabolic strategy, centered on the C3 pathway, allows the species to maximize carbon assimilation during the vigorous growing season typical of its northern habitats.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Larix laricina is characterized by specific seed morphological traits and specialized dispersal mechanisms. The seeds produced by this species exhibit a relatively small mass, with a measured mean of approximately 0.0016058335 g. Within the natural population, individual seed masses vary, ranging from a minimum of 0.001 g to a maximum of 0.00226 g. Regarding the movement of offspring from the parent plant, the species utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying primarily on wind to transport its light seeds to new locations for colonization.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Seed mass max:

0.00226 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0016058335 g

Seed mass min:

0.001 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Larix laricina has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 13-Epitorulosol, Betulin, CATECHIN, Epicatechin, Rhaponticin.

13-Epitorulosol

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

CATECHIN

1. Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology

Epicatechin

1. Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology

Rhaponticin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

TAXIFOLIN

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

quercetin

1. Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology

Activities

Larix laricina has 14 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, AntiHIV, Anticarcinomic, Antifeedant, Antiflu.

Antidiabetic

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antiobesity

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke

Aphidifuge

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Larix laricina has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Insulin Sensitivity, gout, insulin resistance, obesity.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations