Family: Tamaricaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Tamarix gallica, commonly known as saltcedar or French tamarisk, is native to the western and central Mediterranean region and extends south into the Sahara. It is a deciduous shrub or small tree with slender, arching branches covered in tiny, scale-like leaves that give the plant a feathery appearance. In spring and summer, it produces masses of delicate pink to pale rose flowers that attract pollinators. Saltcedar is valued as an ornamental for its graceful form, tolerance of drought, wind, saline soils, and poor growing conditions. It has also been planted for erosion control, windbreaks, and stabilization of sandy or coastal sites.

Risks & Threats
Although Tamarix gallica is not currently known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, it possesses traits that are cause for concern and could detrimentally impact tropical island ecosystems if it were to escape cultivation. The species is highly tolerant of drought, flooding, and saline conditions, produces abundant wind- and water-dispersed seeds, and can also spread vegetatively from stem fragments. In suitable habitats it has the potential to form dense stands that outcompete native vegetation, alter soil chemistry through salt accumulation, modify hydrology, and reduce habitat quality for native plants and wildlife. Because of these invasive characteristics, Plant Pono recommends choosing a low-risk or native alternative whenever suitable alternatives are available.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized & noxious weed in multiple U.S. states
  
• Invades disturbed areas, streams, pastures, and rangelands
  
• Congeneric species are highly invasive; hybridizes with other Tamarix
  
• Fire-adapted; increases fire frequency and intensity
  
• Tolerates a wide range of soils, including saline and alkaline
  
• Forms dense thickets that outcompete natives
  
• Prolific seed production (thousands per flower)
  
• Vegetative spread via roots and submerged stems
  
• Seeds dispersed by wind and water
  
• Tolerates pruning and resprouts after fire

Low Risk Traits:

• Limited climate suitability (poor heat tolerance)
  
• No spines, thorns, burrs, or allelopathic properties
  
• Not parasitic; palatable to grazers; non-toxic to animals
  
• Low human toxicity; not shade-tolerant
  
• Short-lived seed bank; seldom self-seeds
  
• No animal-mediated dispersal (wind/water only)
  
• Well-controlled by herbicides