Athel Tamarisk. Tamarix, aphylla, Tamarisk Family, ( Tamaricaceae ), Athel Tamarisk. Also called: Saltcedar, Athel, Athel Pine, Athel Tree, Flowering Cypress, or Salt Cedar. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. Starting in the 1850s, several species of tamarisk were imported to the United States as ornamentals and for use in erosion control from North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. Most biologists today think; that was one big mistake! Tamarisk has quickly spread into natural wetlands, where it tends to form dense thickets along streams and springs, displacing native trees such as cottonwood, willow and mesquite. Tamarisk has invaded almost all of the watercourses and other wetland habitats throughout the Southwest. Since it so common all over the Arizona wetland habitats and some of the lower desert areas; we are including Tamarisk among the Arizona wildflowers. Since the author of this article was, and still is a beekeeper; George can say one good thing about Tamarisk. The bees love it and they make lots of honey from Tamarisk. But, there is one bad thing to say about that! The honey looks like engine oil and it tastes like molasses. But, if you like molasses, that's a good thing! Athel Tamarisk is easily distinguished by its feather, needle-like leaves and small, mostly white to light pink flowers at the ends of the branches. it is estimated that up to 500,000 small, windblown seeds can be produced per plant. This enables it to take over an area very easily. Saltcedars are invasive and they have bred with so many other salt cedars that they are very difficult to distinguish from species to species. Quick Notes: Height: Large trees up to 50 feet tall and usually less wide. Flowers: Mostly white to light pink flowers; also some pink or purple varieties, densely crowded along branched terminal spikes. Flowering Time: March to September. Trunks: Scaley, usually concealed by foliage. Seeds: The fruit and seeds are tiny, brown, and inconspicuous. Leaves: Scale-like, compressed, jointed, light blue-green. Featherly looking from a distance. Native: Native of Northeast Africa, Eastern Europe, and Asia. Found: Found throughout Arizona. near waterways. They are most abundant in riparian habitats, both natural and artificial, often in extensive pure stands. Some can still be found in older agricultural areas in Arizona as wind breaks. Also In many other states of the USA. Hardiness: USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 �C (5 �F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 �C (10 �F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F) Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) 7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline) 8.6 to 9.0 (strongly alkaline) over 9.1 (very alkaline) Sun Exposure: Full Sun Part Shade Elevation: 0 - 6,000 Feet. Habitat: Tamarisks occur mostly on low ground where water collects. They are most abundant in riparian habitats, both natural and artificial, often in extensive pure stands. They are less common in drier places. They thrive in alkaline and saline soils. Miscellaneous: Flowering Photos Taken: June 08, 2006. In Coolidge, Arizona.

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