Tamarisk, Salt Cedar, Manna Plant, Five-Stamen Tamarisk
Tamarix ramosissima
🌿 Morphology
🌞 Growing conditions
🌍 Origin and family
🌾 Uses
Warning: Despite the care taken in writing this sheet, it is essential to cross-reference sources before using or consuming any plant. When in doubt, consult a qualified professional
Permaculture uses
Tamarisk can be used for windbreaks and erosion control, especially in saline soils. Its tolerance to drought and salt makes it useful in challenging environments. The plant can also be coppiced for biomass production. While not a primary food source, the flowers attract pollinators. Some Tamarix species exude a sugary substance used as food, though this is not well-documented for T. ramosissima.
Permapeople description
Saltcedar or tamarisk is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to Eurasia and North Africa. It is known for its pink flowers and tolerance of saline conditions.
Botanical description
Tamarix ramosissima is a deciduous shrub or small tree typically growing to 5-12 feet in height. It has slender, reddish-brown branches and small, scale-like, gray-green leaves arranged alternately along the stems. The flowers are pink to rose-colored, small, and borne in dense, plume-like panicles that bloom in late summer. The fruit is a small capsule containing numerous tiny seeds. The plant is highly adaptable to a wide range of soil types, including saline and alkaline conditions, and is drought-tolerant once established. It spreads aggressively through seeds and vegetative reproduction, often forming dense thickets.
Companion planting
Due to its invasive nature and allelopathic properties (inhibiting the growth of other plants), Tamarisk is generally not considered a good companion plant. It competes aggressively for resources and can alter soil chemistry, negatively impacting surrounding vegetation. Avoid planting near desirable native species or agricultural crops.
Propagation methods
Tamarisk can be propagated through seeds, although germination rates can be variable. Cuttings are a more reliable method, especially using hardwood cuttings taken in the dormant season. Root suckers and layering are also possible methods of propagation.
History and traditions
Tamarisk has a long history of use in various cultures, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Some species have been traditionally used for medicinal purposes, such as treating fever and inflammation. In some cultures, the sugary exudate from certain Tamarisk species has been collected and used as a food source, referenced in biblical texts as 'manna'. Due to its invasive nature, its historical perception has shifted from useful to problematic in many areas.
Usage calendar
Flowering: Late summer (July-September). Cuttings: Late fall to early spring (dormant season). Planting: Spring or fall. Pruning: Late winter to early spring.