Appearance
Tamarix aphylla is deciduous shrub that can grow up to 15 ft. (4.6 m) in height.

Foliage
Leaves are small, scale-like, gray-green in color, and overlap along the stem. The bark is smooth and reddish on younger plants, turning brown and furrowed with age.

Flowers
Small, white to pink flowers develop on 2 in. (5.1 cm) long spikes from March to September.

Fruit
Fruits are tiny capsules that have a small tuft of hair.

Ecological Threat
Several species are considered invasive in the United States and distinguishing the species can often be difficult. Tamarix aphylla invades streambanks, sandbars, lake margins, wetlands, moist rangelands, and saline environments. It can crowd out native riparian species, diminish early successional habitat, and reduce water tables and interferes with hydrologic process. Tamarix aphylla is native to Eurasia and Africa and was introduced into the western United States as an ornamental in the early 1800s. It occurs throughout the western and central United States, but is most problematic in the Southwest.

Resources

• Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• California Invasive Plant Council
• Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
• John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
• Reichard, Sarah. 1994.  Assessing the potential of invasiveness in woody plants introduced in North America. University of Washington Ph.D. dissertation.
• WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States

References