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Tamarix gallica - L.

Common Name Manna Plant, French tamarisk
Family Tamaricaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Damp ground near the coast[17, 100].
Range W. Europe - France. Naturalized in Britain[17].
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Tamarix gallica Manna Plant, French tamarisk


Tamarix gallica Manna Plant, French tamarisk
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Tamarix gallica is a deciduous Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Manna
Edible Uses:

A manna is produced by the plants in response to insect damage to the stems[2, 105]. It is sweet and mucilaginous[105]. There is some confusion over whether the manna is produced by the plant, or whether it is an exudation from the insects[4]. The insects in question live in the deserts around Israel, it is not known if the manna can be produced in Britain[K].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Detergent  Diuretic  Dysentery  Expectorant  Laxative

The branchlets and the leaves are astringent and diuretic[7]. An external compress is applied to wounds to stop the bleeding[7]. The manna produced on the plant is detergent, expectorant and laxative[240]. Galls produced on the plant as a result of insect damage are astringent[240]. They are used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Dye  Fuel  Hedge  Hedge  Soil stabilization  Tannin  Wood

Very tolerant of maritime exposure, it makes a good shelter hedge in coastal gardens[7, 11, 49, 75]. It dislikes being trimmed[75]. The plant has a rather open habit, however, and so is not tremendously effective at reducing wind speeds[K]. The extensive root system of this plant makes it suitable for use in erosion control in sandy soils[149]. The plant contains a high level of tannin[7]. Galls produced on the plant as a result of insect damage contain up to 40% tannin[240]. The tannin can be used as a dyestuff for fabrics[7]. (No details are given about the colour, though it is likely to be some shade of brown.) Wood - fairly hard, not strong, close grained, takes a high polish, it is often twisted or knotty[61, 149, 227]. Used for general construction, poles, turnery[61, 149]. It makes a good fuel, burning well even when green due to the wax content of the wood[74].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Hedge  Hedge

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils and tolerant of saline conditions[11]. Grows well in heavy clay soils as well as in sands and even shingle[182]. Usually found near the coast, it succeeds inland if given a fairly good deep loam and a sunny position[11, 200]. Tolerant of maritime winds and dry soils when grown near the coast[11], plants require a moister soil and shelter from cold drying winds when they are grown inland in non-saline soils because they use the soil salts that are found in saline soils to help them reduce transpiration[200]. This species flowers on the current year's growth[227]. Any pruning is best carried out in spring, hedges are also best trimmed at this time[188]. Plants are tolerant of severe pruning, sprouting freely from old wood[K]. The very closely related T. anglica is often included in this species. A good bee plant[74]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[88, 200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very easy[200]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth, 15 - 25cm long, planted outdoors in late autumn in a nursery bed or straight into their permanent position. High percentage[11, 200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Tamarix africanaAfrican tamariskTree7.5 7-10 MLMHNDM003
Tamarix anglicaEnglish TreeShrub5.0 6-9 MLMHNDM113
Tamarix aphyllaAthel TamariskTree10.0 7-10 MLMHNDM113
Tamarix canariensisTamarisk, Canary Island tamariskTree0.0 7-10 MLMHNDM103
Tamarix chinensisChinese Tamarisk, Five-stamen tamariskShrub4.5 6-9 MLMHNDM023
Tamarix hispidaKashgar TreeShrub1.0 5-9 MLMHNDM003
Tamarix juniperina Tree7.5 5-9 MLMHNDM003
Tamarix parvifloraSmall-Flowered TamariskShrub4.5 4-8 MLMHNDM003
Tamarix ramosissimaTamarisk, SaltcedarShrub4.5 2-9 MLMHNDM103

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Readers comment

Donna Clemmons   Mon Jan 26 2009

is it true that tamarix leaches a high salt content into the soil that inhibits any other plantings to grow around it or under it?

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Subject : Tamarix gallica  
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