Dichotomous Key/Laricoideae

1: Laricoideae includes Larix, Cathaya, and Pseudotsuga.

2: Deciduous.............................Larix

2: Evergreen

3: Leaves needle-like, 2.5-5 cm long, ciliate margins when young, grow in spiral patterns around stem; cones 3-5 cm long, 15-20 scales, each scale bearing two winged seeds; grows in southern China in provinces of Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan and southeast Sichuan; found on steep, narrow mountain slopes at 950-1800 m altitude........Cathaya

3: Medium to extremely large trees; often resemble species of Abies; cones pendulous, persistent scales, three-pointed bract sticking out between scales...................Pseudotsuga