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Tamarix aphylla

Accession Count: 12
Common Name: tamarisk, athel tree
Family Name: Tamaricaceae
Botanical Name: Tamarix aphylla
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics: Tamarix aphylla is identifiable by its large stature and small, grey-green leaves. The large evergreen tree measures around 30 feet tall and wide when mature. The foliage of the tamarisk is dense in appearance consisting of thin, cylindrical branchlets that have tiny, scale-like leaves. In early summer, the tamarisk produces small pink flowers along the branchlets (1).
Compound: Tam aph
Geographic Origin: Middle East
Ecozone Origin: Palearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History: T. aphylla originates in deserts of the Middle East, and has invaded much of the southwest since being cultivated in the North America in the 1800's. Shortly after cultivation began, Athel trees were soon found along rivers of southern Arizona and Texas (1,2).
Cultivation Notes:
Athel trees are well adept to desert climates, able to tolerate heat, aridity, wind and drought. They can thrive in soils of high alkalinity and salinity, and require no additional watering once well established. T. aphylla is a very hardy plant, withstanding temperatures as low as 5oF, and grows best in full sun exposure (1). 
Ethnobotany:
The invasive and allergenic properties of T. aphylla make it a less popular option for landscape uses. Even though it is difficult to grow other plants in the same are, their size makes them great windbreaks in arid landscape zones (1). Tamarisk's invasive nature is due to its invasive roots, ability to rid the surrounding soils of the water content, and increase soil salinity generated by the leaf litter; all of which are harmful to native species (1,2).
Height: 20 - 50 feet
Width: 20 - 50 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate Growing
Grow Season: Fall
Flower Season: ForeSummer
Color: Pink
Function: Screen
Spread: Non-spreading
Allergen: Allergenic
Invasive: Invasive
Toxicity: Benign
Hardy: Hardy
Water Use:
Citations:
1.
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Tamarix aphylla