Larix decidua × L. kaempferi (L.
× marschlinsii Coaz), Hybrid Larch
Account Summary
Introduction, neophyte, rare but often ignored and therefore under-recorded.
2 August 1989; Forbes, Dr R.S.; roadsides around Gortaree district.
April to September.
A F1 hybrid between L. decidua (European Larch) and L. kaempferi (Lamb) Carrière (Japanese Larch), L. × marschlinsii Coaz first arose in Scotland in 1897. Nowadays, it is much more widely planted for timber than the European Larch since it is both faster growing and much more resistant to Larch canker. The hybrid is fully fertile and regularly regenerates from seed. It also back-crosses readily with either parent, although the European species is becoming increasingly rare.
While the F1 plants are greatly preferred for forestry and are widely planted in the British Isles, the hybrid was not recorded from the wild until 1983. The distribution of the hybrid is very similar to that of L. kaempferi, both plants being very widespread but quite definitely under-recorded (Mitchell 1996; M.E. Braithwaite, in: Preston et al. 2002).
Fermanagh recorded occurrences
There are only three records of this hybrid in the Fermanagh Flora Database. The details of the other two are: roadside near Scarfield Bridge, Colebrooke River, 12 April 1996, RHN & RSF; and Derrysteaton Td, Galloon Island, Upper Lough Erne, 1 September 2001, RHN & RSF.
Names
The Latin specific epithet 'kaempferi' is given in honour of the late 17th century German naturalist, physician and traveller Engelbert Kaempfer, who explored regions from Russia to Japan between 1683 and 1693 and wrote both a flora and a history of Japan. The specific epithet 'marschlinsii' is another genitive case meaning 'of Marschlins', possibly or apparently referring to an area in Switzerland that seems most famous for its castle.
Threats
This hybrid faces the same threat from fungal attack as L. decidua.