Tamarack, Hackmatack, American Larch

Larix laricina

Physical Characteristics

Larix laricina is a deciduous Tree growing to 18 m (59ft 1in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from March to April, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Distribution

Northern N. America - Alaska to Labrador, south to West Virginia.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Shoots Edible Uses: Tea The young shoots are used as an emergency food[177]. A tea is made from the roots[161]. A tea is made from the branches and needles[257].

Medicinal Uses

Alterative Astringent Disinfectant Diuretic Expectorant Laxative Poultice Salve Tonic Tamarack was employed medicinally by a number of native North American Indian tribes who used it to treat a variety of complaints[257]. It is little used in modern herbalism. A tea made from the bark is alterative, diuretic, laxative and tonic[4, 222]. It is used in the treatment of jaundice, anaemia, rheumatism, colds and skin ailments[222, 257]. It is gargled in the treatment of sore throats and applied as a poultice to sores, swellings and burns[222, 257]. A tea made from the leaves is astringent[4, 222]. It is used in the treatment of piles, diarrhoea etc[222]. An infusion of the buds and bark is used as an expectorant[257]. The needles and inner bark are disinfectant and laxative[257]. A tea is used in the treatment of coughs[257]. A poultice made from the warm, boiled inner bark is applied to wounds to draw out infections, to burns, frostbite and deep cuts[257]. The resin is chewed as a cure for indigestion[222]. It has also been used in the treatment of kidney and lung disorders, and as a dressing for ulcers and burns[226].

Known Hazards

Sawdust from the wood has been known to cause dermatitis in some people[222].