salt cedar

Salt cedar, also known as tamarisk, refers to any of the 54 species of shrubs and trees in the genus Tamarix. These plants are native to arid and semi-arid regions from the Mediterranean to central Asia and northern China, and many have been introduced to North America.1

Salt cedars are characterized by deep roots, slender branches, and small, gray-green, scalelike leaves. They produce clusters of small pink flowers, giving them a feathery appearance. These plants are highly tolerant of drought, soil salinity, and salt spray.1

While some species, like the French tamarisk (T. gallica), are planted for shelter, others, such as T. ramosissima, are cultivated as ornamentals. However, several introduced species in western North America are considered invasive pests because they consume scarce water resources and displace native plants.1