Tamarix gallica
Tamarix gallica | |
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T. gallica
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Binomial name | |
Tamarix gallica |
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Tamarix anglica |
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Tamarix gallica, the French tamarisk,[1] is a deciduous, herbaceous, twiggy shrub or small tree reaching up to about 5 meters high.
It is indigenous to Saudi Arabia and the Sinai Peninsula, and very common around the Mediterranean region. It is present in many other areas as an invasive introduced species, often becoming a noxious weed.[1] It was first described for botanical classification by the taxonomist Carolus Linnaeus in 1753, but had already been in cultivation since 1596.[2]
Description
It has fragile, woody branchlets that drop off in autumn along with the small, scale-like leaves that cover them. The leaf-shape is an adaption over time to exceedingly dry conditions.[2]
The pink flowers are tiny, hermaphroditic, and are borne on narrow, feather-like spikes. They frequently bloom earlier than the leaves, first in May, and sometimes a second time in August.[2]
In its native range the plant grows in moist areas such as riverbanks, especially in saline soils.[3] It has been grown as an ornamental plant for its profuse production of showy pink flower spikes. In Algeria and surrounding areas it has been used medicinally for rheumatism, diarrhea, and other maladies.[3]
References
External links
- Calflora Database: Tamarix gallica (French tamarisk) — introduced species in California.
- USDA Plants Profile for Tamarix gallica (French tamarisk) — introduced species in U.S.
- Jepson Manual Treatment of Tamarix gallica — introduced species.
- UC CalPhotos gallery — introduced species.
- Pages with broken file links
- Tamarix
- Flora of the Mediterranean
- Flora of North Africa
- Flora of Southeastern Europe
- Flora of Southwestern Europe
- Flora of Western Asia
- Trees of Europe
- Trees of the Middle East
- Flora of Algeria
- Flora of Egypt
- Flora of Libya
- Flora of Saudi Arabia
- Angiosperms of Metropolitan France
- Plants described in 1753
- Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
- Invasive plant species
- Invasive plant species in the United States
- Medicinal plants