It has alternate evergreen leaves which are oval/oblong shaped. The underside of the leaves are also orange in color and have small, white trichomes.
This species is definitely from the larch family, possibly being an Alaskan Larch, also known as Tamarack (Larix laricina). The branches were brownish-red in color with ridges that ran vertically, giving a "cracked" appearance. There were small seed-bearing cones (both new and old) that were along the branch as well. The needles were just starting to bud from the tree, growing in clusters of many individuals per spur shoot.
This individual was a young sampling that was found off of Sheep Creek Road before the UAF Botanical Garden. The branches were yellowish-brown in color with short, sharp needles arranged spiraly along the branches.
The older individuals were brownish-gray colored with small brown spots growing all over them; the younger ones were red in color and smooth. On the trees that were present, there were both male catkins (small, white oval structures that resembled the top of a Q-tip) and female catkins (oblong, green caterpillar-shaped with red on the tips of hair-like structures).
These individuals are small shrubs that grow in large groups. The evergreen leaves are dark green, oval-shaped, and have a smooth-wavy outer coating. The leaves also feel relatively thick and aren't paper thin. There was no fruit since the snow has just started to melt good, but the dark-red berries should start to appear soon.
This plant winter /seeds was found near Diamond Creek in Homer, near Anchor Pt, but closer to Homer.
The branch/bud and catkin were taken home to photograph more closely
Basal leaves with parallel venation. Near or in water. Wind dispersed seeds. Invasive apparently!