Larix griffithii Hook. fil.

Pollination from April to May; seed maturity in October.

Larix griffithii is close relative of Larix speciosa, but differs from the latter in its bracts obviously reflexed (vs. spreading and recurved), obovate- or ovate-lanceolate (vs. lanceolate), 5-7 mm (vs. 3.5-5.5 mm) at widest part, short branchlets slender (vs. stout), only bases of scales persistent (vs. scales persistent, revolute).

Larix griffithii is occurring in S and E Xizang of China, Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim.

Phylogeny of Larix was constructed from the sequence analysis of the paternally inherited cpDNA trnT- trnF (Wei and Wang, 2003). The most parsimonious tree split Larix into three sister clades: one clade was composed of two North American species, the other two were short-bracted and long-bracted (Larix griffithii in this clade) species of Eurasia respectively except that L. sibirica was clustered in the long-bracted clade.

Trees to over 20 m tall; trunk to 80 cm d.b.h.; bark gray-brown or dark brown, deeply fissured longitudinally; long branchlets initially reddish brown, light brown, or yellowish brown; short branchlets 6-8 mm in diameter, nearly smooth, with remnants of bud scales and rings of revolute scales bases; winter buds ovoid-globose or globose, not resinous. Leaves 2.5-5.5 cm long, 1-1.8 mm wide, keeled abaxially and toward base adaxially. Seed cones maturing brown or light brown, cylindric or cylindric-ellipsoid, 5-11 cm long, 2.2-3 cm wide. Seed scales obovate-square, ± flat, 1.1-1.4 cm long, 1.1-1.4 cm wide at middle of cones, pubescent toward base abaxially, margin denticulate toward apex, apex truncate or slightly emarginate. Bracts ovate- or obovate-lanceolate, longer than seed scales, 5-7 mm at widest part, obviously reflexed. Seeds grayish white, with irregular purplish spots, obliquely obovoid, ca. 10 mm including wing.

The chromosomal number of Larix griffithii is 2n = 24 (Mehra, 1988).

Growing in mountains; 3000-4100 m.

Larix griffithii is reported be lower risk/least concern (Conifer Specialist Group, 1998).

The timber is used for construction, pit props, railway sleepers, and making furniture, and the bark yields tannins. The tree is also used for afforestation.