Arizona Wild Flowers
Wildflower Pictures And Photos

Athel Tamarisk, Tamarix aphylla

Athel Tamarisk, Tamarix aphylla; Photo June 08, 2006 Casa Grande.

Plant Known As Saltcedar, Salt Cedar, Or Tamarisk	Tamarisk Is Invasive Plant Not Native To Arizona
There Is Concern That Tamarisk Will Crowd Out Native Plants	Tamarisk Flowers
There Is Concern That Tamarisk Will Crowd Out Native Plants	Tamarisk Flowers

Athel Tamarisk Tamarix, aphylla, Tamarisk Family, ( Tamaricaceae ), Athel Tamarisk. Also called: Saltcedar, Athel, Athel Pine, Athel Tree, Flowering Cypress, or Salt Cedar. Starting in the 1850s, several species of tamarisk were imported to the United States as ornamentals and for use in erosion control from North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. Tamarisk has quickly spread into natural wetlands, where it tends to form dense thickets along streams and springs, displacing native trees such as cottonwood, willow and mesquite. Tamarisk has invaded almost all of the watercourses and other wetland habitats throughout the Southwest. Tamarisk is easily distinguished by its feather, needle-like leaves and small, near-white to pink flowers at the ends of the branches. it is estimated that up to 500,000 small, windblown seeds can be produced per plant. This enables it to take over an area very easily. Saltcedars are invasive and they have bred with so many other salt cedars that they are very difficult to distinguish from species to species. This species has been used as a windbreak in the early communities of the Arizona desert and some large specimens are still seen in older undeveloped communeties. Bees produce large quanities of dark tamarisk honey; tasting like molasses and looking like automobile oil. Height: Large trees up to 50 feet tall and usually less wide. Flowers: Pink to near-white, densely crowded along branched terminal spikes. Blooming Time: March to September. Fruit & Seeds: The fruit and seeds are tiny, brown, and inconspicuous. Leaves: Feather, needle-like green leaves. Found: Found throughout Arizona. near waterways. Some can still be found in older agricultural areas in Arizona as wind breaks. Elevation: 0 - 6000 Feet. Habitat: Tamarisks occur mostly on low ground where water collects. They are most abundant in riparian habitats, both natural and artificial, often in extensive pure stands. They are less common in drier places. They thrive in alkaline and saline soils. Native of Northeast Africa, Eastern Europe, and Asia. Miscellaneous: Photos Taken: June 08, 2006. In Coolidge.