A genus of coniferous trees constituting the genus Larix of the family Pinaceae, native to cool temperate and subarctic parts of the Northern Hemisphere. One species, Larix griffithii, is found only in the Himalayas. A larch has the pyramidal growth habit typical of conifers, but the leaves are shed in autumn like those of deciduous trees. The short needlelike leaves are arranged spirally on new growth and in whorls at the tips of short spurs on older twigs. There are 10 to 30 soft, light green needles on each spur. The related golden larch (Pseudolarix) has cones that disintegrate at maturity, but those of Larix species often remain on the trees several years, then fall intact.

Britannica Editors. "larch". Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Jan. 2019, https://www.britannica.com/plant/larch. Accessed 21 October 2026.