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Tamarix ramosissima - Ledeb.

Common Name Tamarisk, Saltcedar
Family Tamaricaceae
USDA hardiness 2-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Saline soils[11].
Range E. Asia - S. Russia to China.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Tamarix ramosissima Tamarisk, Saltcedar


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Selso
Tamarix ramosissima Tamarisk, Saltcedar
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Selso

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Pink. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early spring, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer, Mid spring. Form: Spreading or horizontal.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Tamarix ramosissima is a deciduous Shrub growing to 4.5 m (14ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2. It is in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
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

T. odessana. T. pallasii. T. pentandra. pro parte.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Manna
Edible Uses:

A manna is produced by the plants in response to insect damage to the stems[177]. It is sweet and mucilaginous and is used in confectionery[183].

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.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Hedge  Hedge  Soil stabilization

Very tolerant of maritime exposure, it makes a good shelter hedge in coastal gardens[75]. It does not like being trimmed[75]. Plants have an extensive root system and can be used to control the erosion of sand dunes and other sandy soils[200].

Special Uses

Hedge  Hedge

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Seashore. An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils and tolerant of saline conditions[11]. This species is not found in saline soils in the wild and so might not be tolerant of them in cultivation[K]. 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]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Special Features:Not North American native, Invasive, Naturalizing, Attractive flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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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 gallicaManna Plant, French tamariskShrub4.0 4-8 MLMHNDM123
Tamarix hispidaKashgar TreeShrub1.0 5-9 MLMHNDM003
Tamarix juniperina Tree7.5 5-9 MLMHNDM003
Tamarix parvifloraSmall-Flowered TamariskShrub4.5 4-8 MLMHNDM003

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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Expert comment

Author

Ledeb.

Botanical References

11200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Lydianna   Sat Nov 27 13:56:25 2004

I am searching for the tamarack trees that the old timers planted for wind breaks near the Colorado River. Such as the trees in Blythe and Bullhead City in Arizona. Trees were also planted for wind breaks in Phoenix, Ariz. and in Las Vegas, Nevada. These trees are evergreens and grow 20 to 30 feet tall. They resemble beautiful green feathers against the sky. They give good shade and protection to cattle and a homestead. It is hard to believe that the early western pioneers purchased or brought these trees with them. Now men come with chain saws and cut down these beautiful trees that took 50 years to grow. Signed, Lyd

Camille Richard   Tue Jan 3 2006

I find it amazing that you promote this species as a useful plant. It has taken over large areas of the Colorado River Basin, destroying the native poplar trees and dropping the water table by several feet. Lydianna would do well to do some research on the devastating impacts of this species. Many invasive species are lovely but deadly.

Dorris   Sun Oct 7 2007

We live in northern Indiana & have several of these beautiful trees as a privacy fence, we maintain them with some trimming,they were planted about thirty years ago, no problems, looking for a supplier. Dorris in Indiana

Aaron   Tue May 6 2008

I agree with Camille. Tamarix consumes massive amounts of water and is extremely invasive in riparian environments. Once it is established is nearly impossible to kill. It is also known as the Saltcedar. Heres a link for more info on this tree: http://www.columbia.edu/itc/cerc/danoff-burg/invasion_bio/inv_spp_summ/Tamarix_ramosissima.html Here's a quote from that site: "Reason Why it has Become Established: tree Saltcedar, like many other invasive plant species, has a great reproductive capability. A mature saltcedar plant can produce 600,000 seeds annually, and has the ability to flower during its first year. Seeds are easily dispersed by wind and water, and severed stems and shoots of saltcedar readily root in moist soil. The plant's ability to exploit suitable germinating conditions over a long time period gives saltcedar a considerable advantage over native riparian species. A very rapid grower, saltcedar can grow 9 to 12 feet in a single season under good conditions. Rapid growth can allow the invading plant to reproduce within the first year. In extreme environmental conditions such as drought or flooding, it is extremely resistant. Under drought, saltcedar survives by dropping its leaves and halting growth. Additionally, its seedlings are very resistant to desiccation. Under flooding, it can survive immersion for up to 70 days. Mature plants can resprout vegetatively after fire, flood, or treatment with herbicides and can adapt to wide variations in soil and mineral gradients. Saltcedar also deposits salt above and below the ground, forming a saline crust inhibiting other plants from growing in its vicinity. In addition to outcompeting native species, this also enables the saltcedar to cope with high concentrations of dissolved solids. Saltcedar is a very great consumer of water: a single large plant can absorb 200 gallons of water a day. This can result in the lowering of the ground water, drying up of springs and marshy areas, as well as reduction in water yield of riparian areas (along the Colorado River it has been estimated that up to 568,000 acre feet of water are lost per year to channel vegetation, with saltcedar being a major component)." Ps: Thank you for this incredible database and all the work it must be, it has been a most valuable resource. If you ever make re-builds of the database a warning category for sersiouly invasive species and thier 'host' environments would be a good addition. thank you Aaron

www.columbia.edu A write up on the Tamarix ramosissima.

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