noun
Japanese larch; Larix kaempferi
A deciduous conifer native to Japan, often planted for timber and as an ornamental tree.
カラマツは秋に黄葉する。
The Japanese larch turns yellow in autumn.
この山にはカラマツの林が広がっている。
A forest of Japanese larch spreads across this mountain.
Kanji form literally meaning 'deciduous pine'; the reading らくようしょう is also possible but rare.
Hiragana spelling, also common.
松 is a general term for pine trees, which are evergreen, while カラマツ is a deciduous larch.
The name カラマツ likely derives from 唐 (kara, 'Chinese' or 'foreign') + 松 (matsu, 'pine'), though the tree is native to Japan. The exact origin is uncertain.