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Tamarix aphylla - (L.)H.Karst.

Common Name Athel Tamarisk
Family Tamaricaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Wadis in hot desert areas in salty and non-salty habitats.
Range W. Asia to N.E. Africa.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Tamarix aphylla Athel Tamarisk


http://www.hear.org/starr/
Tamarix aphylla Athel Tamarisk
http://www.hear.org/starr/

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Tamarix aphylla is a deciduous Tree growing to 10 m (32ft 10in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower in July. 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 and nutritionally poor soils. 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. articulata. T. orientalis.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Secondary; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Manna
Edible Uses: Drink

A sweet manna-like substance that forms on the twigs is used to adulterate cane sugar[177, 183]. It can also be eaten with porridge etc or mixed with water to make a refreshing drink[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.
Astringent  Bitter

The galls are astringent[240]. The bark is astringent and bitter[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Hedge  Hedge  Tannin

Very tolerant of maritime exposure, it makes a good shelter hedge in coastal gardens[229]. Galls produced on the twigs and flowers (probably as a result of insect activity[K]) contain up to 55% tannin[223]. The wood has been used for fuel[257].

Special Uses

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 is not very hardy outdoors in Britain[1], but it succeed in the milder areas of the country, tolerating temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200]. This species flowers on the current year's growth[200]. 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].

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 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
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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Expert comment

Author

(L.)H.Karst.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

Elizabeth Powell   Tue Oct 26 20:04:46 1999

Dear Plants for a Future-

While researching the internet for information on Athel- Tamarix aphylla- I found your website and information on cultivation of athel. I wondered if you were aware that athel is a weed in many parts of the world and that suggesting that people grow it could be considered reasonably irresponsible. It is one of the major weeds of Western Australia and we are beginning to find it along rivers and lakes where we don't want it in Western U.S.- it spreads rapidly and is very expensive to get rid of. It was orignally planted as a shade tree- and populations remained stable for a long period of time, but now it starting to spread to remote areas. I am a botanist for Lake Mead National Recreation Area, in Nevada USA and we are just now recognizing what a monster we have unleased on our park. Sincerely, Elizabeth Powell

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