fivestamen tamarisk
(Tamarix chinensis)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Appearance
Tamarix chinensis is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 15 ft. (4.8 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
Flowers are white to pink in color and develop on slender racemes that are 0.8-2 in. (2-5 cm) long. Flowers have 5 stamens.
Fruit
Fruits are capsules that are 0.12-0.16 in. (3-4 mm).
Ecological Threat
Several species are considered invasive in the United States and distinguishing the species can often be difficult. Tamarix chinensis 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 the hydrologic process. Tamarix chinensis 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.
Citations
Winston, R.L., C.B. Randall, De Clerck-Floate, R., McClay, A., Andreas, J. and M. Schwarzländer. 2016. Field Guide for the Biological Control of Weeds in the Northwest. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team, Morgantown, West Virginia. FHTET-2014-08. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/pdf/Field_Guides_Series/Weeds_of_the_Northwest.pdf
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- Alberta Weed Control Act
- California Invasive Plant Council
- California Noxious Weeds
- Colorado Noxious Weeds
- 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.
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Caryophyllanae |
| Order: Caryophyllales |
| Family: Tamaricaceae |
| Genus: Tamarix |
| Tamarix chinensis |
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.