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GENERAL
Origin
:
Mediterranean
Vigour
:
fairly fast
growing
Humidity
:
very arid, semi-
arid, semi-humid,
very humid
Propagation :
cuttings
Maintenance :
low
CONDITIONS
Urban climate :
resistant
Dessication :
resistant
Stagnant water :
vulnerable
Irrigation
:
low
Salinity/ppm :
very high (15000
ppm)
Hardiness
:
-15°C
SHAPE
Type
:
shrub, tree
Height
:
4 m-7 m
Spread
:
4 m-7 m
Foliage
:
deciduous
FLOWER
Colour
:
white, secondary:
pale pink
Size
:
1.5 cm - 4.5 cm
Period
:
June - August
FRUIT
Type of fruit :
capsule
Fruit size
:
0.6 cm
Tamarix gallica is the Common Tamarisk or French Salt Cedar. This Tamarisk is also a shrub or
small tree coming from Mediterranean climates of the central Mediterranean basin, northern Af-
rica, southwest Europe and Saudi Arabia. The French Salt Cedar grows to a height between 4 and
7 metres, and to a comparable width. The plant is fairly fast growing, often multi-stemmed and
crooked. The deciduous foliage is green to light-blue. The leaves are entire squamate, and their
arrangement is imbricate. The whitish-pink flowers appear in summer. The single flower is 1.5 cm
in size, but the flowers are arranged together in racemes or panicles, giving an appealing, delicate
effect. The fruits are small capsules. Tamarix gallica is propagated by cuttings, and has a deep,
extensive root system. The shrub is highly salt-tolerant and its site requirements are low. That
means less demand with respect to irrigation, nutrients, as well as being both heat-tolerant and
drought-resistant. Pruning is recommended to optimise growth and shape. In landscape design,
Tamarix gallica can be used as specimen, dominant plant, in linear plantings. In natural garden
themes such as rock or steppe gardens, it will have a light, playful effect. Tamarix gallica is not
seen that much in Arriyadh, but it should be used more often, because it does not have the habit
of exuding salt. It is often used as an ornamental plant because of its attractive flowers. This plant
can be used in open country, as a coloniser, bank stabiliser and for environmental consolidation.
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Tamarix gallica,
Tamaricaceae
Common Tamarisk,
French Salt Cedar