Tamarix anglica

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Tamarisk
• French tamarisk

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tamarix gallica var. narbonensis
• Tamarix gallica var. brevibracteata
• Tamarix gallica var. nannifera
• Tamarix gallica f. effusa
• Tamarix gallica f. divaricata
• Tamarix gallica var. submutica
• Tamarix gallica var. wallii
• Tamarix gallica subsp. epidiscina
• Tamarix gallica subsp. leucocharis
• Tamarix balansae var. micrantha
• Tamarix brachystylis var. geyrii
• Tamarix brachystylis var. littoralis
• Tamarix brachystylis var. stenonema
• Tamarix muluyana
• Tamarix matritensis
• Tamarix leucocharis
• Tamarix brachylepis
• Tamarix esperanzana
• Tamarix ehrenbergii
• Tamarix anglica
• Tamarix aegyptiaca
• Tamarix valdesquamigera
• Tamarix sireti
• Tamarix riojana
• Tamarix brachystylis
• Tamarix brachystylis var. sanguinea
• Tamarix gallica var. mannifera
• Tamarix gallica speciosa
• Tamarix gallica subsp. anglica
• Tamariscus gallicus
• Tamarix gallica var. lagunae
• Tamarix gallica var. littoralis
• Tamarix esperanzana var. majoriflora
• Tamarix gallica var. heterophylla
• Tamarix gallica var. subtilis
• Tamarix gallica var. longibracteata
• Tamarix weyleri
• Tamarix geyrii
• Tamarix lagunae
• Tamarix libanotica
• Tamariscus pentander

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Moving through the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales, it is a member of the family Tamaricaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Tamarix.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse distribution across several different regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, its presence can be observed within the territories of Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species is also found growing in Germany and Hungary. Furthermore, its range extends into Southwestern Europe, specifically reaching the Baleares. Collectively, these locations highlight the varied habitats where the plant can be located.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tamarix gallica is characterized by its specialized adaptation to coastal environments, specifically occupying the Restinga habitat. This plant thrives in these sandy, saline-influenced coastal ecosystems where it plays a vital role in stabilizing dunes and managing salt spray. In terms of its vertical distribution, the species maintains a specific altitudinal niche, with an average elevational range of 481 m AMSL. This positioning indicates its ability to inhabit transitional zones between sea-level coastal strips and slightly higher inland terrain, navigating the unique moisture and soil composition typical of these Mediterranean-style coastal landscapes.

Elevational range mean:

481 m AMSL

Habitat :

Restinga

Life history

The life history of Tamarix gallica is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a long-term presence in its habitat. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on aerial shoots, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit and survival strategy. Specifically, its classification as a phanerophyte underscores its ability to maintain significant woody or semi-woody structures that elevate its photosynthetic and reproductive organs, ensuring its continued development throughout its multi-year lifecycle.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tamarix gallica is characterized by a woody growth form that can manifest as either a shrub or a small tree. This plant is a self-supporting, independent species that does not function as a climber, parasite, or epiphyte, maintaining a primarily terrestrial existence. In terms of stature, it reaches a plant height ranging from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 5 meters. Although its ecological niches can vary, its fundamental habit is terrestrial, though it may occupy semiaquatic environments depending on the habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tamarix gallica is characterized by specialized adaptations for survival in arid and saline environments, primarily driven by its efficient water management systems. A fundamental aspect of its metabolic process is its photosynthetic pathway, which is classified as C3. Despite being a C3 plant, which typically faces challenges with photorespiration in high-temperature environments, Tamarix gallica compensates through advanced xerophytic mechanisms. It utilizes specialized salt glands located on its scale-like leaves to actively excrete excess sodium and chloride ions, a process that prevents toxic accumulation in the photosynthetic tissues and maintains osmotic balance. This salt excretion often results in a visible crystalline crust on the foliage, which can also serve to increase leaf reflectance, thereby reducing the thermal load on the plant. Furthermore, its physiological resilience is supported by a deep, extensive root system capable of accessing groundwater, allowing the plant to maintain turgor pressure and continue carbon fixation even under significant drought stress.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Tamarix gallica is characterized by a specific phenological cycle and specialized dispersal mechanisms. The flowering period typically commences in June and concludes in July, though the timing can be variable. Once pollination occurs, the plant develops fruit in the form of a capsule. This fruit is dehiscent, meaning it opens at maturity to release its seeds. The seeds produced are exceptionally minute, with a mean mass of 2.5e-05 g, ranging from a minimum of 1e-05 g to a maximum of 4e-05 g. To facilitate the spread of these tiny seeds, the plant employs an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, utilizing wind as the primary vector to transport the offspring across the landscape.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit type :

capsule

Seed mass max:

4e-05 g

Seed mass mean:

2.5e-05 g

Seed mass min:

1e-05 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Tamarix gallica has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CATECHIN, Flavonoids, Isoquercetin, SYRINGIC ACID, isoquercitin.

CATECHIN

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
2. International journal of environmental health research

Flavonoids

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Isoquercetin

1. International journal of environmental health research

SYRINGIC ACID

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

isoquercitin

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside

1. International journal of environmental health research

Activities

Tamarix gallica has 6 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Diuretic, Hepatotonic.

Antioxidant

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
2. International journal of environmental health research

Antibacterial

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Antimicrobial

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Diuretic

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Hepatotonic

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Stimulant

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Medicinal Uses

Tamarix gallica has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include liver cirrhosis, type 2 diabetes, warts.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations