 DESCRIPTION:
Exotic. Deciduous tree or large shrub to
15'. Flowers white to pink, each 1/16" long, but grow in long (1-2"),
narrow, drooping, clusters. Leaves scale-like, bluish-green in color,
to 1/16"long, but twigs are more prominently seen and they are long
and slender. Bark becomes furrowed with time. Tamaricaceae (Tamarix) Family.
NATURAL HISTORY: Flowers bloom March - November. Introduced from Eurasia
at the beginning of the 1900s for erosion control and as an ornamental.
Now forms dense stands along waterways, competing with native plants (e.g.,
willows and cottonwoods), and evaporating high amounts of water (often
reducing stream flow significantly). Honey bees (introduced from Eurasia
also) are attracted to the flowers, and some other native wildlife have
begun using the trees for cover. |
