• Pseudolarix pourtetii Ferré

Pseudolarix is a monotypic genus of coniferous trees in the pine family Pinaceae. The sole species, Pseudolarix amabilis, is commonly known as the golden larch, though it is not a true larch (Larix), being more closely related to Keteleeria, Abies and Cedrus. It is native to eastern China, occurring in small areas in the mountains of southern Anhui, Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, Hunan, Hubei and eastern Sichuan, at altitudes of {{convert|100|-|1500|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}. Golden larch is sometimes known under an old scientific name Pseudolarix kaempferi, but this may cause confusion with Larix kaempferi, the Japanese larch.

Growth

It is a deciduous coniferous tree reaching {{convert|30|-|40|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} tall, with a broad conic crown. The shoots are dimorphic, with long shoots and short shoots similar to a larch, though the short shoots are not so markedly short, lengthening about 5 mm annually. The leaves are bright green, 3–6 cm long and 2–3 mm broad, with two glaucous stomatal bands on the underside; they turn a brilliant golden yellow before falling in the autumn, hence the common name. The leaves are arranged spirally, widely spaced on long shoots, and in a dense whorl on the short shoots.

The cones are distinctive, superficially resembling a small globe artichoke, 4–7 cm long and 4–6 cm broad, with pointed triangular scales; they mature about 7 months after pollination, when (like fir and cedar cones) they disintegrate to release the winged seeds. The male cones, as in Keteleeria, are produced in umbels of several together in one bud.

Characteristics

Golden larch is a very attractive ornamental tree for parks and large gardens, commonly referenced as the "Koosh Ball tree."{{citation needed|date=June 2018}} Unlike the true larches, it is very tolerant of summer heat and humidity, growing very successfully in the southeastern United States where most larches and firs do not succeed. In Europe growth is most successful in the Mediterranean region with notable specimens in northern Italy; further north in the United Kingdom it will grow, but only very slowly due to the cooler summers.

This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.^[1][2]

Traditional medicine

Golden Larch is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in Chinese herbology,{{citation needed|date=November 2011}} where it is called jīn qián sōng ({{zh|c=金钱松}}). Pseudolarix amabilis is used in traditional Chinese medicine as dermatologic antifungal remedy.

See also

• Chinese herbology 50 fundamental herbs

References