Image 1 - Courtesy Missouri Botanical PlantFinder- T. Ramosissima mature
Image 2-© 2000 Joe DiTomaso- T. Ramosissima mature
Image 3- Courtesy of plants.usda.gov- T. Ramosissima distribution
Image 4- Courtesy Missour Botanical PlantFinder- T. Ramosissima Seed
Mileu: Tamarix ramosissima, originating from Europe, Asia, and Africa, was introduced to the United States in the early 1800’s for ornamentation (i.e. Pink Cascade pictured in image 1) and also for erosion control. T. ramosissima is one of 50 to 60 Tamarisk species in the family Tamaricaceae. Most T. ramosissima are deciduous shrubs or small trees growing to 12-15 feet in height (roughly the size of a two story building). The foliage of this plant is unique in that it appears to be juniper-like, but in reality is neither coniferous nor evergreen (see image 2). Adding to this distinctiveness, the T. ramosissima produces true flowers (see fig 1). Tamarisk ramosissima is derived from a Hebrew word meaning to cleanse.
Identification: T. ramosissima is easily identified by its green-grey foliage and slim branches. While young, the bark of young branches is reddish-brown and smooth. When older, the bark becomes a brown, purple color, with leaves that are grooved with small ridges (see image 2). Leaves resemble scales that cross over each other along the stem. Leafs frequently are glazed with salt secretions due to the saline environments in which this plant is found- hence the name “Salt Cedar”. Between March and September, many flowers ranging from pink to white bloom along the ridges of the plant.
Reproductive Strategies: T. ramosissima has a variety of dispersal and reproductive strategies. It may disperse via the wind by thousands of tiny hairs on the seed (see fig 4) or by water. It may reproduce either by seed reproduction, or through underground stems. It forms thickets that prevent native plants from growing. Seeds may potentially germinate in 24 hours.
Impact: Like other plants in the Tamarisk family, T. ramosissima seems to participate in the narrowing of water channels, increasing sedimentation, and stabilizing bank beds. Due to its many successful reproductive strategies, T. ramosissima is abhorrent as an invasive species. States that reported it as invasive include: AZ, CA, CO, LA, MT, NC, ND, NM, NV, OK, TX, UT, and WY (see fig. 2). Many forms of eradication (look under Management Information) have been devised specific to this species; namely- herbicides, excavating, and flooding.
Geographic Distribution: T. ramosissima is found most abundantly along irrigation ditches, floodplains, and on lakeshores at an elevation ranging from 0- 2624 ft. It thrives in arid areas that are in full sun. Because of a high tolerance for salt, T. ramosissima subsists well in coastal regions; it also endures alkaline soils quite well. This species has a wide range of soil tolerance from nutrient-rich to nutrient deficient soils.References
http://www.mojavewma.org/tamarix.php
http://www.bibliomania.com/2/3/255/frameset.html
http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Tamarix+ramosissima
http://www.nr.usu.edu/~eddies/Geomorph/greg-ab.htm
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-tamarisk.html
http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/map/tara1.htm
http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Plant.asp?code=A401
http://www.nr.usu.edu/Geography-Department/utgeog/utvatlas/family/tama/tara.html
http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/tamaramo.html
http://www.robsplants.com/plants/TamarRamos.php
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=tamarisk+ramosissima&gbv=2
DAVID J. COOPER, DAVID M. MERRITT, DOUGLAS C. ANDERSEN AND RODNEY A. CHIMNER; FACTORS CONTROLLING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FREMONT COTTONWOOD SEEDLINGS ON THE UPPER GREEN RIVER, USA; REGULATED RIVERS: RESEARCH & MANAGEMENT; 15: 419–440 (1999)