Tamarix senegalensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tamarix mannifera
• Tamarix sokotrana
• Tamarix mannifera var. persica
• Tamarix gallica var. monodiana

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized under the order Caryophyllales and the family Tamaricaceae. Finally, it is placed in the genus Tamarix, specifically identified as Tamarix senegalensis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several distinct regions of the African continent. In Northern Africa, its presence is documented within the borders of Morocco. Moving toward the Macaronesian islands, it can be found in Cape Verde. The species also extends through West Tropical Africa, specifically inhabiting Mauritania and the Gambia. Additionally, its geographical range reaches further south into Nigeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Tamarix senegalensis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its habitat over many successive growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located on aerial shoots well above the soil surface, a structural adaptation that supports its robust growth habit. This phanerophyte life form ensures the plant maintains a significant vertical presence, enabling it to thrive within its specific ecological niche through long-term survival and continuous development.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Tamarix senegalensis is characterized by its distinct shrub growth form, which is consistently woody in nature. This plant typically reaches an average height of approximately 2.5 m, presenting a robust structure that does not require external support, functioning as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber. Its development as a perennial shrub provides a dense, branched architecture typical of its species within arid environments.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Plant height mean:

2.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Tamarix senegalensis is characterized by highly specialized adaptations to arid and saline environments, primarily focusing on efficient water management and osmotic regulation. One of its most distinct physiological features is the presence of salt glands located on the surface of its scale-like leaves, which allow the plant to actively excrete excess salts accumulated from the soil, thereby preventing ion toxicity within its tissues. This mechanism of salt secretion is coupled with a sophisticated osmotic adjustment process, enabling the plant to maintain turgor pressure even under significant water deficit. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, meaning its nitrogen uptake is entirely dependent on the availability of nitrates or ammonium in the soil. Furthermore, its metabolic processes are optimized for high photosynthetic efficiency under intense solar radiation, often utilizing specialized leaf morphology to reduce transpiration rates while maintaining carbon assimilation in harsh, saline desert habitats.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Tamarix senegalensis has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include kaempferol, Ellagic, quercetin.

kaempferol

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Ellagic

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

quercetin

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Tamarix senegalensis has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimalarial, Antimicrobial.

Antioxidant

1. Heliyon
2. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Antimalarial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimicrobial

1. Heliyon

Medicinal Uses

Tamarix senegalensis has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, malaria.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations